Kyrie Irving is officially cleared for the NBA China Games, and that puts the Dallas Mavericks guard squarely in the spotlight as the Houston Rockets and Mavericks get set to open preseason play later this week in Macao.
Both teams arrived in Macao earlier today for the two-game series, and Irving’s status has become one of the biggest talking points heading into the matchup. He has been sidelined since March of 2025, when he suffered an ACL injury that wiped out his entire 2025-2026 season.
According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal, ANTA confirmed that Irving can play in the NBA China Games series without restrictions. The brand is also set to release the KAI 3 “Macao Hearts” and the KAIBRID “Macao Spades” later this week.
Even with that clearance, it would not be surprising if his minutes are kept in check. Still, the 34-year-old guard now has a chance to put himself back in front of everyone after a long recovery and make a first impression for next season.
Irving’s availability also feeds into a bigger conversation in Houston. There are no reports that the Rockets are actively chasing a trade for him, but they have been mentioned as an early destination for the nine-time All-Star, along with the Miami Heat.
That idea has some obvious appeal on paper. Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games during the 2024-2025 season, production that could change the ceiling of a team built to win now.
The Rockets already have plenty of talent in place. Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun all have the potential to become All-Stars in 2027, and with Durant holding a player option for the 2027-2028 season, the timeline carries real urgency.
Fred VanVleet’s return from a season-ending ACL injury adds another layer to the discussion, but his profile is different. He last averaged 14.1 points per game and is nearly five years removed from his most recent All-Star nod, making Irving the more dangerous offensive piece by a clear margin.
There is also the pressure that comes with Ime Udoka entering his fourth season as Houston’s head coach. He has not yet guided the franchise past the first round of the playoffs, and that reality hangs over a roster with big expectations.
For now, the focus is on the exhibition series in Macao. But once Irving is back on the floor, his performance could quickly become part of a larger conversation about what the Rockets might do before February’s trade deadline. Whether that path opens up will likely depend on how he looks after the layoff and what it would take to bring him in.
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