Stephen A. Smith raised concerns with his comments on Kyrie Irving’s latest contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The ESPN analyst believes Irving’s three-year $119 million deal falls short of what the star guard deserves. While the Mavericks look ready to compete, Smith feels the deal doesn’t reflect his true value.
The veteran guard proved he can still make a significant impact when healthy. Dallas is building around Irving, Luka Doncic, and newly acquired Anthony Davis, with high hopes for a deep playoff run. But even with the roster upgrades, Smith sees a problem with Irving’s pay.
“I think Kyrie Irving got low-balled. I think he deserved more… it has me looking at ownership because I’m saying, ‘Okay, if this were Mark Cuban, he would have had more,” Smith said on First Take. As Cuban no longer controls ownership, Smith questioned whether the new owner, Miriam Adelson, played a role in the surprising contract outcome.
"I think Kyrie Irving got low-balled. I think he deserved more… it has me looking at ownership because I'm saying, 'Okay, if this were Mark Cuban, he would have had more.'"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 25, 2025
Stephen A. Smith on Kai's 3-year/$119 million deal with the Mavs 🗣️pic.twitter.com/Dr90knlF5W
The deal sparked conversation about how much Irving is truly valued in Dallas. While some see the contract as fair, others, like Smith, feel the Mavericks should make more. Now, it’s up to Irving to prove his worth even more on the court.
Kyrie Irving Signs Three-Year Contract With The Dallas Mavericks
Irving confirmed he will decline his $43 million player option and sign a new three-year, $119 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
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The All-Star guard announced the decision Tuesday night on X, posting “Maktub“, meaning it is written, alongside a report of the contract.
The new deal includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. At 33, Irving averaged 24.7 points over 50 starts last season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Kyrie Irving is expected to return later in the 2025-26 season and join a stacked Mavericks lineup featuring Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, and Daniel Gafford. The extension solidifies Irving’s role as a key piece in Dallas’ pursuit of an NBA title.
Also Read: Dallas Mavericks Might’ve Just Tipped Their Hand With Intriguing Cooper Flagg Pre-Draft Move
