Masai Ujiri is already anticipating what Kyrie Irving can do for the Mavericks in 2026-27, and he’s not hiding how much he believes Irving changes the equation in Dallas.
With speculation swirling around Irving’s future and some viewing this season as potentially his last with the Mavericks, Ujiri said he sees more than just an elite scorer returning from an ACL injury. He sees a player who can steady the group, help younger teammates along, and make the whole offense breathe easier as Dallas enters Ujiri’s first season as team president.
“I think it was Kevin Durant that said it best: there's only one Kyrie walking around in the world,” Ujiri said. “It's crazy, you know?
You see him and his talent; that's kind of what we see to ease up the game. But also, Kyrie, as a player, we truly believe in him.
We truly believe that he can succeed on our team. I truly believe that if we have the right players playing, we can really grow as a team in a new system with a new culture we're trying to build.
I truly believe that.”
Ujiri made those comments on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, and he made it clear that Irving’s presence matters far beyond the highlight plays. The veteran guard, Ujiri said, can create the kind of spacing that opens the floor for everyone else while still being able to take over on his own when Dallas needs it.
“Basketball-wise, he causes havoc; he causes spacing, you know? He's one of those guys that can still do it himself,” Ujiri added. “And I think that will ease up a lot of stuff for a few guys on our team.”
Irving’s return is especially notable after he missed all of last season with an ACL injury. He also showed his effectiveness Sunday in the Mavericks’ 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets overseas in China, finishing with 17 points on 6-for-13 shooting, including two threes, three assists, and two rebounds in 17 minutes.
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