Kyrie Irving’s future is already becoming one of the league’s most interesting talking points, even as he settles back in with the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran guard is back on the floor after sitting out last season, but he’s also made it clear he sees the finish line approaching.
“You have social media and gambling which is running rampant and it's not the same NBA that I fell in love with as a kid and I'm very much aware of that… Basketball is an eternal flame, it always will, but I don't see myself playing in the nba at 42, 43," Irving told the media.
That retirement window has only added fuel to the offseason chatter around whether Dallas could eventually move him. For now, Irving appears to be in a good place with the Mavericks, but if that ever changes, there’s a belief management would honor his wishes.
“Ujiri has made it clear that the franchise is committed to keeping Irving with Flagg, who is 15 years younger than the star point guard," ESPN's Brain Windhorst wrote."Rival front offices question whether Dallas can stick to that plan with roster holes elsewhere and the two stars on different career timelines."
If Irving does become available, plenty of teams would line up with interest. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale pointed to the Toronto Raptors as a logical landing spot, arguing that the fit is obvious on offense and the price would be worth it.
“Shooting and passing top the Toronto Raptors' list of needs. Kyrie Irving takes care of both while creating a filthy offensive trio with Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard.
Aging up the roster even further would be a risk, and Kyrie's $39.5 million isn't cheap. But the Raptors have two other stars to streamline his workload, and they can use his player option next summer as a chance to negotiate a longer deal with a smaller annual number,” Favale wrote.
In Toronto, Irving would give the Raptors another playmaking guard alongside Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes, with RJ Barrett also potentially involved depending on how a deal is constructed. His arrival would also let Barrett spend more time at forward.
And with an NBA champion and All-Star of Irving’s caliber in the mix, Toronto would have another weapon for its push to win another title with the group it has assembled.
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Allen Graves Had A Very Toronto Moment Before His NBA Debut
Allen Graves first night in the league came with a little bit of everything that tends to make a Toronto basketball moment feel bigger than the box score. The Raptors rookie stepped onto the floor Oct. 21 against the Bulls and handled his NBA debut with five points, five rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes, but what stood out afterward was the setting itself: a sold-out crowd, the national anthem echoing through the arena and, of course, Drake courtside.
Graves said the atmosphere made the night feel significant in a way that went beyond just getting through his first game. Afterward, he also had a more personal kind of reception waiting for him, with family and friends around to celebrate the milestone. For a young player trying to settle into the league, it was the sort of debut that can make Toronto feel less like a stop and more like a stage. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Draft Miss Just Raised A Bigger Question For Toronto
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Now the conversation has shifted to whether the Raptors should keep betting on one-dimensional shooting specialists at the top of the board. Their 2026 pick, Allen Graves, is viewed as a more versatile prospect, and that profile may fit what Toronto needs better than another player whose appeal rests mostly on one carrying tool. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Face An Early Road Test Their Defense Can't Fake
The Raptors are heading into their first road game of the season, and the early trip to Washington offers a good first read on how real their defense is on the road. The Wizards have reshaped their rotation with veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young helping steady a younger core, so Toronto wont be walking into a soft landing spot even if the matchup still looks winnable on paper.
Washington is also dealing with a notable absence, with key player AJ ruled out for the game, which adds another wrinkle to how the Raptors may choose to attack. Its the kind of early-season test that can reveal whether Torontos defensive work travels or whether the noise of the road starts to expose some of the same old vulnerabilities, and the matchup still tilts toward the Raptors if they handle it cleanly. [Read more 🡒]