Kyrie Irving Remains Central to Mavs’ Vision Despite Lost Season
When the Mavericks sent Anthony Davis to Washington, it felt like the start of a full reset in Dallas. Some around the league even wondered if Kyrie Irving would be the next big name out the door.
But that never materialized-and it turns out, it was never even close. The Mavs have made it clear: Kyrie isn’t going anywhere.
Despite sitting out this season with a torn ACL, Irving remains a cornerstone of Dallas’ long-term plans. The front office sees him as untouchable, and given the way he’s handled himself since arriving in Dallas, it’s not hard to understand why.
This version of Kyrie Irving is different. Not just in how he plays-though his on-court production has remained elite when healthy-but in how he carries himself.
Since joining the Mavs, he’s managed to reshape a narrative that once painted him as a disruptor. He’s gone from being a lightning rod for controversy to a player teammates and coaches speak highly of.
That’s no small feat considering the turbulence of his past stops in Cleveland and Brooklyn.
Of course, some of that edge is still there. During a recent appearance for his shoe sponsor, ANTA, Irving was approached for a quick interview with ESPN.
His reaction? A shrug and a quick, “I don’t really care for ESPN.”
He eventually agreed to the interview, but the moment was telling-Kyrie hasn’t forgotten the criticisms, and he’s not in a rush to play nice just for the cameras.
Still, that doesn’t overshadow the work he’s putting in behind the scenes. Earlier this season, there was cautious optimism that Irving might return after the All-Star break.
And by all accounts, his rehab has been encouraging. He’s moving well in workouts and progressing steadily.
But Kyrie made it clear: he’s not coming back until he’s beyond ready.
“My rehab is going well,” Irving said in a recent interview. “Whenever I’m a hundred and fifty percent healthy, I’ll be back.
I want to be better than where I was. So that’s saying a lot.
It’s a big hill to climb, but it’s worth it.”
That’s classic Kyrie-ambitious, confident, and focused on the long game. And for the Mavs, that mindset fits perfectly with where they are as a franchise. With Davis gone and the team pivoting toward a younger, more flexible core, Irving’s eventual return could be the spark that reignites their playoff hopes.
Don’t expect him to suit up this season. The Mavs are playing it smart, letting their star guard take the time he needs to get all the way back.
But when he does return-presumably next season-Dallas could be ready to make some noise again. If Kyrie comes back at full strength, and the roster continues to develop, the Mavericks might not be rebuilding for long.