Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving returned to ESPN's NBA Rank at No. 39 after missing all of last season while recovering from a torn ACL.
DALLAS - ESPN put Kyrie Irving at No. 39 in NBA Rank on Wednesday. The Dallas Mavericks guard was left out of last year's top 100 while he recovered from a torn ACL. In 2024, he was No. 25.
Anthony Davis, whom Dallas traded to the Washington Wizards in February, came in one spot behind him at No. 40. Cooper Flagg was No. 23. Irving and Flagg are the only Mavericks among the top 100.
Irving Returns to ESPN's Top 100
Irving has not played since March 3, 2025. He tore the ACL in his left knee nine minutes into a 122-98 home loss to the Sacramento Kings that night. On Feb. 18, the Mavericks announced he would not return at any point in 2025-26, the first season he had missed in full across 15 years in the league.
Irving's entry, written by Bobby Marks, credited him with nine straight seasons averaging at least 20 points. Dallas ranked 22nd in assists and 29th in 3-pointers made last season. The entry also listed Irving as a possible trade candidate "if Dallas is out of playoff contention by February."
Before the injury, Irving earned an All-Star nod and averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 2024-25. He played 50 games, logging 36.1 minutes a night, and shot 40.1% from beyond the arc. His scoring average ranked 13th in the league when he went down.
His signature stat from ESPN Research dates to 2020-21 with the Brooklyn Nets, when he shot at least 50% from the field, 40% from 3, and 90% from the line. He is one of three players in NBA history with a 50/40/90 season on at least 20 shots per game. Stephen Curry did it in 2015-16, and Larry Bird did it in 1986-87 and 1987-88.
ESPN projects Irving to average 24.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 2026-27.
Irving Returns to a Changed Mavericks Roster
Irving returns to a franchise that has undergone significant change since he last played. Not only has he not had the chance to play with reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, but he also will have a new coach in Dusty May.
Flagg and Irving have spent time on the court together before training camp opens on Sept. 25. They, along with Dereck Lively II, were at Duke Pro Devils Weekend recently. Irving also led a team mini-camp in Los Angeles.
Irving's three-year, $118.5 million contract runs through 2027-28, with a $42.4 million player option in the final season, according to Spotrac.
