Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May came away impressed after watching Kyrie Irving work out ahead of the 2026-27 season, comparing the veteran guard’s skill and creativity to an artist creating a masterpiece.
Speaking on Thursday, July 9, May discussed Irving’s return process and said he watched a workout session with the Mavericks star. “I spoke with Kyrie and actually witnessed a workout this morning and I felt like I left the gym watching Picasso paint a picture,” May said.
The session came as Dallas prepares for a major roster reset under May, team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz. The Mavericks are building around No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg while expecting Irving to return after missing the entire 2025-26 season because of a torn ACL.
Irving’s absence was a major factor in Dallas finishing 26-56 and 12th in the Western Conference last season. Before the injury, the seven-time All-Star remained one of the NBA’s most efficient offensive guards, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 50 games during the 2024-25 season.
The 2024-25 campaign was Irving’s 14th NBA season, and he shot 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range and 91.6% from the free-throw line. His career averages stand at 23.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.4% overall and 39.4% from beyond the arc.
Irving’s ability to create offense has remained a defining part of his game throughout his career. He has averaged at least 25 points per game in six different seasons, including a career-high 27.4 points per game with the Brooklyn Nets in both the 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons.
The Mavericks made several offseason moves designed to improve the spacing around Irving and Flagg. Dallas acquired Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies and Marcus Sasser from the Detroit Pistons while adding shooting prospects such as Tarik Biberovic from Fenerbahce.
Dallas also selected Morez Johnson Jr. ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and added Sergio de Larrea with the 25th pick after acquiring his draft rights.
