Former Duke Star Kyrie Irving Discusses Potential Retirement Plans

Former Duke Blue Devils star guard Kyrie Irving is making his return to the court this year after missing all of last season.

Irving is coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 NBA season. But the veteran us now back and ready to help the Dallas Mavericks get back to the postseason in the Western Conference.

The former Duke star has seen a lot of success in the NBA over his career, making nine All-Star teams and winning one title. Irving has been around for a long time, and it remains to be seen how much longer he will play in the NBA.

But ahead of the NBA season starting, Irving discussed the potential plans for his retirement. Irving is 34 years old and coming off the major injury, giving some thought to him hanging it up early.

The veteran guard said that the NBA isn't the same as the league that he fell in love with, in part due to social media and sports gambling. But Irving also mentioned that it wasn't a bag thing, but rather an observation from him.

It seems that the veteran guard won't be playing into his 40s, with him likely calling it quits over the next few years. But basketball still speaks to Irving, and he is determined to prove himself on the floor for the Mavericks this season.

Irving added that since he joined the league out of Duke in 2011, he has become “less human” and “more robotic”. The All-Star has been outspoken about multiple different topics over the last 10 years, with Irving putting an emphasis on his own well being

This has led to some criticism of the veteran guard, but Irving has continued to be his authentic self throughout the process. Irving 

Now with the Mavericks, Irving wants to help this team get back to the playoffs after missing the dance last year. Irving will be paired up with another former Duke star, Cooper Flagg, with Dallas believing that they can be more competitive this time around.

The Western Conference is going to be loaded once again, but the Mavericks have a strong core if they can remain healthy. Irving will play a large role in Dallas trying to get back to the playoffs, giving this team a veteran leader to rely on.

Irving and the Mavericks will kick off the 2026-27 NBA season this week on October 21 against the Houston Rockets on the road. Dallas will then have its home opener against the Indiana Pacers on October 23.