Paige Bueckers Issues Kyrie Irving Update as Mavericks Star Could Face $19 Million Hit

They say it’s hard to understand the pressure that comes with being the #1 draft pick. Luckily for Paige Bueckers, she has someone in her corner who gets it all. A fellow Dallas star and 2011’s No. 1 pick, Kyrie Irving. He has been a steady veteran presence for her since day one. When Bueckers was drafted, Kyrie posted a heartfelt video message that began, “I just wanted to take the time out to congratulate you on being drafted, especially to the Dallas Wings. I’m so excited for your journey ahead… So happy and proud of you…” More than just a shoutout, it felt like a passing of the torch.

It’s a two-way relationship, though. Paige Bueckers recently shared her thoughts about the Mavs Legend. In an interview with the WFAA, the interviewer asked, “I need a Kyrie Irving update. Has the meeting been scheduled yet? I know you’ve been busy with your schedule. Is it in the works? Do you need help brokering that? We’re here to help.” She opened with “He’s a busy, busy man.” Then continued, “I saw him he was in LA. I think it was the Clippers or Lakers game. So I know he’s rehabbing his ACL as well.” The Duke product tore the ACL in his left knee on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings, and he is not expected to return before 2026.

Responding to the kind offer that the interviewer made about facilitating a meeting, Paige got honest. “I think it’ll happen organically, but I really hope to meet him at some point.” That phrase is enough to tell you that she’s as excited as any person would be to meet their idol. What followed was a minute and a half of pure admiration. She poured out without a single pause, like she had been waiting to praise her inspiration. She painted Kyrie as the ultimate craftsman. And beyond basketball, she admires his confidence, faith, and authenticity as well. “He’s unapologetically himself,” she said.

Paige Bueckers even noted that he doesn’t live with regret and believes everything happens for a reason. To Paige, Kyrie is not just an amazing player, but a genuinely kind and supportive human being. However, he might be in a situation where he needs some support for himself. Unlike Paige Bueckers, who returned from a significant ACL injury to lead UConn to a national title, Kyrie Irving is facing some skepticism from franchises. They are unsure of what he has left post-ACL surgery.

“Look for Irving to decline his player option, and the Mavs to welcome back on a longer deal shortly thereafter. Prediction: Irving re-signs with Dallas on a three-year deal with a player option on the final season.” That’s what Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report wrote. Let us break it down for you. Before his injury, Irving signed a player option worth $43.9 million for next season. However, amidst all the lack of assurance, he could take a two-year deal worth $25 million each, as predicted by The Athletic. That’s significantly ($19 million) less than his pre-injury deal.

However, that’s the harsh reality. Even after averaging 24.7 points and shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range, Kyrie Irving’s salary could see a huge decline from here on.

Paige Bueckers’ wish, hope, and old tweets

On May 8, Paige Bueckers made a heartfelt appeal to her all time favorite during a press conference. She said “I would like to see Kyrie at a game this year,” with an eager smile. This wasn’t just about star power, it meant something deeper for Paige. She has always respected Irving’s brilliance on the court and his perseverance through challenges. “I think his finishing abilities, the way he uses his quickness, he’s extremely underratedly strong, and just his creativity are things I want to take away,” she explained last month.

The top draft pick has frequently mentioned Irving’s impact. And now, they share more than just a city. They share a similar path, having both battled through serious ACL injuries. “You can’t be that elite at basketball without having a great work ethic,” Paige Bueckers noted. “So I know he’s going to dominate this recovery process just as he does basketball.”

Well, Bueckers’ praise isn’t just words or surface level. She has been following Irving and trying to mirror his style since his Cavaliers day. In fact, she joined Twitter in 2016 for one sole reason. To be a Cleveland Cavaliers fangirl. And her favorite player was definitely Irving as her tweets show. “People so sleep on Kyrie… what a shame ‍,” she posted in 2017. The best point guard for her? Of course, we need not tell you. “I’ve always liked Russell it’s just that Kyrie the best point guard in the league point blank period”. Also, she went full-on with the use of emojis.

“What sets Kyrie apart is the confidence and the fact that he wants the ball and isn’t scared to make a mistake… He’s a dawg ,” she wrote. Well, what a joy it is to scroll through Bueckers’ tweets from 2016-17 and this is exactly the kind of support Irving needs to ‘read’ right now.

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