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The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly looking for a temporary starter until the return of Kyrie Irving in the 2025-26 season. Notably, Irving suffered a left ACL tear on March 3 in a game against the Sacramento Kings. The injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, putting his return in the upcoming season in jeopardy. Since he is likely to be out for most of the next season, the team needs a starting point guard who can be a good fit for the position until Irving returns.
According to Jake Fischer of Stein Line, “Dallas is looking for a fill-in starter until Irving returns.” The report further suggests that the franchise will have a limited payout, but they will offer a starting role, which will be followed by a considerable amount of playing time.
Notably, Irving has a player option of just under $44 million in the final year of his contract for the upcoming season. The first priority of the Mavericks is to re-sign Irving for probably a long-term deal, irrespective of his return in the next season or the start of the 2026-27 season.
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Detroit Pistons Veteran Dennis Schroder To Move to Dallas?
As the reports of Dallas Mavericks’ search of a point guard surface, there have been rumors that the Houston Rockets’ veteran Dennis Schroder could move to the franchise. According to CBS Sports writer Robby Kalland, “Schröder got passed around by a few teams around the deadline last year, but landed in Detroit and gave them some much needed veteran stability behind Cade Cunningham.”
He added that while Houston would want to keep Schroder with themselves, the 31-year-old wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to prove himself as a starting point guard. The report further stated, “On the season he averaged 13.1 points and 5.4 assists per game in Brooklyn, Golden State and Detroit. The Pistons will likely look to keep him in Detroit, but Schröder could be enticed by the opportunity to get one more run to prove himself as a starting point guard in the NBA in Dallas.”
The Mavericks, who finished tenth in West this season, have the first overall pick for the NBA 2025 Draft. They are most likely to sign Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg, and would aim for a playoff run in the next season, behind a healthy Anthony Davis and Flagg.
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