Complete reimbursement in 2025! 33-year-old Irving s choice: Get 120 million yuan in retirement or bet on 44 million yuan in rebirth?

On May 25, 2025, when NBA reporter Jake Fischer threw out the details of the Mavericks' renewal negotiations between the Mavericks and Irving, the entire basketball circle smelled an unusual smell. The Mavericks' management has proposed a three-year, $120 million contract extension to Irving, asking him to give up the $44 million player option next season and jump out of the contract and sign again. "Even Van Jordan's annual salary is 40 million, why should the Mavericks cut Irving's salary?" On March 24, the Mavericks' home game against the Kings may become a watershed in Irving's career. In a breakthrough in the first quarter, his left knee made a heart-pounding "click" sound, and then he fell to the ground in pain. But what is shocking is that the 33-year-old veteran was back on the free throw line with the support of his teammates and left the court after hitting two steadily. Post-match diagnosis: Torn anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, completely reimbursed in the 2025 season. The 3-year 120 million contract issued by the Mavericks is by no means a simple price reduction, but a big game of chess that has been brewing for many years.

First of all, this contract hides a "time trap". In the summer of 2028, when Irving and Davis' contract expire simultaneously, the Mavericks will have two major advantages: one is the dividend period of the rookie contract of No. 2 pick Flag in 2025 (annual salary is expected to be around 12 million yuan), and the other is the salary space after Doncic may renew his contract in advance. The management has long seen through: instead of binding Irving with a maximum salary now, it is better to reserve operational flexibility for the "post-Doncic era" three years later.

The deeper calculations are hidden in the team's change in attitude towards Doncic. When the Mavericks refused to provide Doncic with a super maximum salary in 2023, it caused an uproar. Nowadays, they continue the same logic: "We are not not giving maximum salary, but we are not giving maximum salary that may not be able to realize the value." This cold-blooded strategy is exactly the survival rule of the NBA business league.

What Irving is facing is a dilemma:

Option A: Execute the 44 million player option, and fight for a big contract again in 2026. The risks are obvious: reimbursed in the first two months of the 2025-26 season, and their status after returning is unknown. If the performance is sluggish, the free market's value may fall below 30 million in 2026.

Option B: Accept 120 million for 3 years, locking in long-term protection. It seems to be compromised, but it actually hides vitality. The Mavericks promised to build a new system around him and Flag. If they can stay healthy, there will still be a chance to hit an annual salary of 25 million in 2027.

But Irving's dilemma is much more than that. He needs to answer a sharper question: After three knee surgeries, is he still the "key gentleman" worthy of gamble? The Mavericks' quotation is like a "bet agreement" - betting that Irving's knee can last until 2026, and betting that his data can match an annual salary of 40 million yuan. What Irving needs to answer is: "Accept reality or bet on dignity?" Today's topic: If you were Irving, would you sign? See you in the comment section.