As the Dallas Mavericks are preparing to select Cooper Flagg first-overall in this year’s NBA Draft, they locked up one of their franchise cornerstones in Kyrie Irving.
The Mavericks and Irving agreed to a three-year, $119 million extension Tuesday night. Irving is recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to be out until at least January of next season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After signing the deal, the Mavericks are expected to open the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception. According to Charania, the team is expected to target veteran guards such as Chris Paul, Malcolm Brogdon, D’Angelo Russell, and Dennis Schroeder.
Of that group, Chris Paul could make sense for the Mavericks on a cheap deal. Dallas will have championship aspirations next season with Irving, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and soon-to-be first-overall pick Cooper Flagg. Paul has shown the ability to raise a team’s ceiling even in limited roles in the past, and could provide good leadership qualities for a team that will now be managing two separate timelines.
Paul appeared in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game. He is a 12-time All-Star and was last named an All-Star in 2022. He could serve as a viable replacement for Irving while he sits out, and then would become one of the better backup point guards in the NBA upon his return. If Paul is willing to sign for the midlevel exception, the Mavericks shouldn’t flinch at the opportunity to bring him in.
Despite trading away Luka Dončić at last year’s trade deadline, the Mavericks have been given a mulligan of sorts. The team should have a very real chance to compete in the Western Conference next season if they play their cards right.