News Article
Published
Oct 19, 2026 at 03:55 PM EDT
Kyrie Irving is entering his 14th active NBA season in 2026-27, suiting up for the Dallas Mavericks.
When speaking to reporters on Monday, Irving was asked if he's given any thought to a potential retirement decision on the horizon.
Irving admitted that he's going to weigh his options over the next few seasons as he battles with the rapidly-changing landscape of the NBA.
“You have social media and gambling which is running rampant and it’s not the same NBA that I fell in love with as a kid and I’m very much aware of that. And I don’t say that as a negative thing," Irving explained.
"The game has changed. It's become less human. It's more robotic," Irving added. "I think my next few years I'll kind of look at it like 'Do I really love that aspect of it?' I love the playing. I love the competition, but do I love all the hoopla that goes into it?"
Irving missed the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season due to the ACL tear he suffered the year prior. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game through his most recent campaign in 2024-25.
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The Mavericks will open up their 2026-27 regular-season schedule with a matchup against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 21.