And Dallas' plans for Irving run well beyond a hopefully early 2026 appearance. The Mavs want Irving "to rip up his [$44 million] player option" and sign a three-year deal that aligns him with Anthony Davis (and general manager Nico Harrison), per Charania.

Typically, an ACL surgery requires eight-12 months of recovery, but the Mavericks are hoping that Irving will be back on the shorter end of his recovery. ESPN's Shams Charania reports Dallas has hopes that Irving will be able to return by January of 2026, which would allow him to potentially play in the majority of the 2025-26 season.

The Nets thought they had a potential dynasty in 2019, but entered a rebuild four years later when Kyrie Irving was traded to the Mavs.