According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are expected to remain with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.
Irving and Harden have player options for next season, but both All-Stars are expected to sign new contracts with their current team.
“No one, to be clear, is forecasting Irving or Harden to leave their current situations in Dallas and Los Angeles,” Fischer wrote. “Long before he sustained a season-ending knee injury in early March, Irving was widely projected to re-sign this summer with the Mavericks. Harden, meanwhile, appears to be no less entrenched in Clipperland … even after LA’s disappointing first-round exit to the Denver Nuggets.
“What links Irving and Harden in 2025: The two thirtysomething stars sit atop this summer’s anticipated list of free agent point guards, both hold contracts that contain a player option for next season and they are simultaneously seeking longer-term arrangements with their respective teams. More than one well-placed observer has noted that the former’s eventual new contract with the Mavericks could even serve as a barometer that helps establish the ballpark for what Harden ultimately banks from the Clippers in a new deal.”
The Mavericks missed the playoffs this year after making the NBA Finals last year. They traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Dallas did win the draft lottery. The franchise is expected to draft Duke’s Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick.
The Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of this year’s playoffs in seven games. LAC has never reached the NBA Finals.
Irving, who will miss a chunk of next season recovering from his left ACL tear, averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season in 50 games. He turns 34 on March 23, 2026.
Harden, who turns 36 in August, averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists this season in 79 games. He made the All-NBA Third Team.
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