Shams tweeted continuously about trading information, Irving refused to execute player options and re-signed

The offseason officially started, and all teams began to strengthen or renew key players in the team. According to famous reporter Shams, Mavericks star Irving refused to execute a player contract worth $43 million in the 2025-26 season. He plans to sign a three-year, $119 million contract with the Mavericks. It is reported that this contract includes personal player options for the 2027-28 season, and this contract also keeps Irving away from the free market.

It is reported that the two parties have reached the contract renewal verbally by phone, and he has made it clear that he will refuse to execute the $43 million player option before the deadline tonight. The negotiation date between the two parties is to officially sign the new three-year contract on July 7.

According to experts' analysis, the salary of Irving's new contract can allow the Mavericks management to unlock a 5.7 million mini middle class special case, so that while Irving recovers from injury, the Mavericks can continue to seek a main defender in the free market. Their potential targets include the Pistons' Schroder, the Nets' Russell, the Spurs' Paul, or Brogdon. All four are currently free agents.

Interestingly, before Shams reported the incident, another famous ESPN reporter, Ary, reported the incident in advance, but in his tweet, Irving first implemented the player option and then re-signed a new contract with the Mavericks. After Shams' report came out, Ary had no choice but to tweet and apologize.