What is Kyrie Irving’s Salary? Mavericks Star’s Current Contract and NBA Overall Career Earnings

“I’ve really been afforded a lot in this life that I play the game that I love, so… I just love giving back.” This was Kyrie Irving‘s heartfelt response back in 2018 when asked about giving $240 to a homeless man. The Dallas Mavericks star has always been open about his humble beginnings, often reflecting on his childhood. Now, after 13 years in the NBA and stints with four different franchises, the skilled shooting guard/point guard earns a salary that not only secures his present but could comfortably support the next two to three generations of his family.

With that said, let’s dive into how much the NBA star earns from Miriam Adelson’s franchise.

What is Kyrie Irving’s contract with the Dallas Mavericks? When does he become a free agent?

During the 2023 offseason, the Dallas Mavericks signed Kyrie Irving to a 3-year, $120 million contract. Initially, the decision faced significant skepticism. Critics questioned the move, especially since Irving joined midseason in 2023 and couldn’t lead the Mavericks to the playoffs. However, those doubts were silenced when he and Luka Dončić guided the team to the NBA Finals—a milestone not achieved since 2011 and only the third time since the start of the new millennium.

Under this contract, Irving is set to earn $41 million during the ongoing season, making him the 25th highest-paid player of 2024-25. This places him between Pascal Siakam and Domantas Sabonis in the salary rankings. His pay is set to rise to $43.96 million next season, although Irving holds a player option for that year. Should he choose to decline it, he will become a free agent by 2026-27. However, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks are determined to ensure the 8-time NBA All-Star remains with the franchise.

“The point is they have demonstrated, ‘We value you, and we will pay you how much we value you within the ability to have a little bit of wiggle room financially.’ They are going to put a big number on the table for him,” McMahon said during an episode of ‘The Hoop Collective’ podcast. “He (Irving) has been extremely happy in Dallas. They are extremely happy with him.” It is certainly a welcome change, given everything that happened back in Boston and Brooklyn.

If McMahon’s remarks hold true, the Dallas Mavericks will need to make a significant financial commitment to retain Kyrie Irving. After all, history shows that Irving’s earnings have only trended upward since his rookie season, reflecting his rising value in the league.

How much did Kyrie Irving make with his previous NBA franchises?

Kyrie Irving was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 1st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, earning him the most lucrative rookie contract of his draft class. The Cavaliers signed him to a four-year deal worth $23.198 million, with a cap range of $5.144 million to $7.07 million annually, averaging $5.7995 million per year.

By the end of his rookie contract in 2014, Irving had firmly established himself as a cornerstone player for the Cavaliers. Over three seasons, he averaged 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. His accolades included the NBA Rookie of the Year award, an All-Rookie First Team selection, two All-Star appearances, and an All-Star Game MVP title.

With LeBron James returning to Cleveland and seeking a dependable co-star, the Cavaliers made a decisive move to secure Irving’s future. In July 2014, the team signed him to a massive five-year, $94.3 million extension, solidifying his role as a franchise cornerstone.

Having LeBron James on the roster brought undeniable advantages, but it didn’t sit well with everyone. In 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade. According to Brian Windhorst, the reason was Irving’s desire to play “where he can be more of a focal point.” With two years left on his contract, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him to the Boston Celtics.

When Irving’s contract expired, he entered free agency and landed a significant deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The team signed him to a lucrative four-year contract worth $136.49 million, marking a new chapter in his career.

Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Brooklyn Nets? Did he feel disrespected there?

“I know I’m going to be at a place where I’m celebrated and not just tolerated,” Kyrie Irving said during his first practice with the Dallas Mavericks, just two days after being traded by the Brooklyn Nets. While his stint with the Nets lasted longer than his time with the Celtics, it seems unlikely the 32-year-old would consider a return. This speaks volumes, especially given the lingering animosity between him and Celtics fans. So, what went wrong?

In the 2019-20 season, Irving’s availability was limited to just 20 games due to shoulder issues. The 2020-21 season was relatively smoother, apart from two leaves of absence that reduced his appearances to 54 games. However, the situation took a dramatic turn in the following season. Irving found himself at odds with the league after refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, a stance that clashed with the mandates in place. In October 2021, Nets’ general manager Sean Marks announced that Irving would be ineligible to play home games due to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The team even barred him from practicing with them, adding to the strain on their relationship.

The following season brought more controversy for Kyrie Irving, as he faced an eight-game suspension after being accused of promoting an antisemitic film. This incident, coupled with earlier challenges, further strained his relationship with the Brooklyn Nets.

Whether these issues played a major role or not, things ultimately came to a head during discussions about a contract extension. Markieff Morris, who played alongside Irving for both the Nets and Mavericks, shared his perspective: “It was time for his [Irving’s] contract extension, the two sides didn’t meet up, business got involved, and that’s what happened. That’s how it goes.” Morris further added, “I think Kyrie was averaging about 27 [points] at the time. I think we won 18 out of 20, and all of a sudden, the business got involved. That’s how it goes sometimes. A guy of Kyrie’s stature, I wouldn’t be standing for that either. Get me up out of there.”

By February 2023, reports surfaced that Irving had turned down a contract extension offer. The reason cited was that “talks about a new contract did not go to his liking.” Upon joining the Dallas Mavericks, Irving was candid about his departure from the Nets. He remarked, “I just think it was time to get my own peace of mind and go somewhere where I was able to thrive and be in a situation where I didn’t have to worry about kind of behind-the-back talk or the media talk or not knowing how to handle real-life circumstances that have nothing to do with the game of basketball.”

Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Brooklyn Nets is firmly in the rearview mirror. Now with the Dallas Mavericks, he seems more at ease and is undoubtedly earning a higher paycheck. As discussions about a potential contract extension loom, NBA fans are left wondering just how much the 2016 champion will secure this time around.