In a welcome boost for the Dallas Mavericks, NBA insider Shams Charania provided a new timeline for injured Kyrie Irving. According to reports, there’s “optimism” that All-Star guard Irving will return from his torn ACL in January and is expected to recover fully.
Nine-time All-Star and 2016 NBA Champion Kyrie Irving suffered a torn left ACL in March, but underwent successful surgery soon after in New York City, setting up a potential return by January.
Torn ACLs tend to have an injury timeline of nine months to a year. This would potentially be on the early side of that, around ten months.
Kyrie Irving Injury Update Plus Player Option News
Shams Charania’s update could potentially be a massive boost for the organization, as they aim to build the franchise around him and Anthony Davis. especially after Kyrie’s impressive form before injury. Shams also points out that Kyrie has a $44 million player option. Furthermore, reportedly, the plan is to rip up the player option and give him a three-year deal in line with Anthony Davis.
Reportedly, their deals would potentially run concurrently, setting up the possibility that they can lead the franchise as a duo going forward. Incidentally, this is also Nico Harrison’s remaining contract length.
This update is good news for the Mavericks going forward. It was a devastating injury, especially after Irving’s All-NBA caliber form, averaging 24.7 points per game, and a stellar 40% from three-point range. Both of those were improvements over his career average of 23.7 points and 39.4% from range.
Furthermore, the analytics site Crafted NBA has Kyrie in the 98th percentile in their Offensive Plus-Minus Category, further exemplifying the season he was having on the offensive end for the Mavs. He is absolutely fundamental to the franchise’s hopes, as his handles remain in the upper echelon in the entire NBA.
Potentially having him return fully healthy in January gives the Mavericks a solid target to stay afloat until he returns in the New Year, to boost their playoff hopes. It’s therefore important that Harrison has a solid off-season by acquiring solid role players who can step in adequately at least until January.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum will be tasked with replacing Kyrie the rest of this year’s postseason, in the meantime, playing alongside Klay Thompson at two-guard.
Dinwiddie himself recently came back from injury. This has been the story of the season so far for the Mavericks, but credit to them for overwhelming the Sacramento Kings in last night’s play-in game. Klay Thompson channeled his prime years by scoring 23 points on 5-7 three-point shooting to help dispatch the Kings. Next up, the Mavs face off against Ja Morant’s Grizzlies on Friday night as they endeavor to reach next week’s playoffs.