When the 2023 NBA free agency period opened Friday at 5 p.m., the Dallas Mavericks entered the fray with a clear mission in mind: re-sign Kyrie Irving.
Mission accomplished.
The 31-year-old All-Star has signed a three-year, $126 million contract. The deal ended Irving’s unrestricted free agency less than an hour into the negotiating period and restored his spot as co-star to Luka Doncic.
Here’s the latest free agency news from around the NBA, as well as the Mavericks’ free agents and their targets.
Mavericks free agents
Kyrie Irving: The Mavericks’ coveted free agent has signed a three-year, $126 million contract to return to Dallas.
Christian Wood: Mavericks leadership declined to offer a contract extension during his lone season in Dallas after he failed to gain the full trust of the coaching staff. It is widely expected Wood will play elsewhere next season.
Dwight Powell: As the Mavericks look to rebuild their center rotation, Powell will look to provide veteran continuity and mentorship on a roster that now includes rookie Dereck Lively II. Powell agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal to return to Dallas. The team officially announced the deal on July 9.
Frank Ntilikina: Ntilikina appeared in 105 games during his two seasons in Dallas. Despite his decreased role last season, he played an important defensive role in the Mavericks’ 2022 run to the West finals.
Markieff Morris: Morris appeared in just eight games for the Mavericks after he was acquired in the trade that brought Kyrie Irving to Dallas.
Theo Pinson: Pinson, the face of the Mavericks’ bench decorum fines from a year ago and known friend of Kyrie Irving, is a free agent after spending the past two seasons in Dallas.
Justin Holiday: Holiday won’t be back in Dallas next season, as signed a deal with the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets. Dallas signed Holiday late last season after he was bought out by the Rockets. He appeared in 18 games with the Mavericks.
Latest news
Friday, July 14, 2:10 p.m.: Dallas officially announces the signing of guard Dante Exum.
“Dante is a versatile guard who plays both ends of the court at a high level,” said Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. “Offensively, he can play both on and off the ball and his size allows him to be on the floor in many different lineup combinations. We are excited to bring him back to the NBA after he led Partizan to the EuroLeague playoffs last season.”
Exum was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 draft and spent seven seasons in the NBA before spending the past two seasons overseas.
Sunday, July 9, 1:51 p.m.: The Mavericks officially announced the re-signing of Dwight Powell.
“Dwight has been one of the anchors of our team over the past nine seasons,” said Harrison. “His consistent effort, IQ and leadership ability – both on and off the court – will continue to be important to the success of our organization.”
The Mavericks have re-signed Dwight Powell.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) July 9, 2023
Powell has started 135 out of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons for Dallas, less than two years removed from suffering a torn right Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/l9p0xUPvl3
Saturday, July 8, 9:35 p.m.: The Mavericks officially announced the signing of first-round pick Dereck Lively II.
Friday, July 7, 10:31 p.m.: The Mavericks have officially announced the re-signing of star point guard Kyrie Irving, along with Irving’s number change from No. 2 to No. 11.
The Dallas Mavericks have signed Kyrie Irving.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) July 8, 2023
Irving finished the 2022-23 season as one of only seven @NBA players to average at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Irving will now wear #11 for Dallas. pic.twitter.com/mAbNynpOeU
Thursday, July 6, 10:53 a.m.: The hopes of adding the defensive fortitude of Matisse Thybulle alongside recent trade acquisition Grant Williams appears to have disappeared almost as quickly as it came for the Mavericks.
A day after reports surfaced that the restricted free agent from Portland intended to sign an offer sheet with Dallas, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Thursday that the Trail Blazers will match the potential three-year deal and retain Thybulle’s services next season.
Wednesday, July 5, 6:36 p.m.: The Dallas Mavericks’ lull in free-agency news is over.
The Mavericks are acquiring Boston Celtics restricted free agent Grant Williams in a three-team sign-and-trade deal and will immediately improve their rotation in the frontcourt and on defense, a person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed Wednesday evening.
Wednesday, July 5, 11:14 a.m.: Portland Trail Blazers forward Matisse Thybulle, a restricted free agent this offseason, intends to sign an offer sheet with the Mavericks, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed this report to The Dallas Morning News.
Portland reportedly has interest in matching any offers made to Thybulle. Offer sheets cannot be signed until July 6.
Portland Trail Blazers RFA Matisse Thybulle intends to sign an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/Zbhl2Za55o
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 5, 2023
Sunday, July 2, 4:22 p.m.: A late-season addition from 2022 will reportedly join the defending NBA champions.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday that Justin Holiday agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. Holiday appeared in 18 games with the Mavericks last season.
Free agent Justin Holiday has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2023
Saturday, July 1, 9:30 p.m.: Dallas adds a defensive presence to the perimeter.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Mavericks agreed to a guaranteed deal with Dante Exum, a former No. 5 overall pick to the Jazz in 2014.
Free agent G Dante Exum – a former No. 5 overall pick – is returning to the NBA on a guaranteed deal with the Dallas Mavericks, his agent Brandon Rosenthal tells ESPN. After leading Partizan to their first title in a decade, Exum brings his perimeter versatility to the Mavs.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2023
Saturday, July 1, 5:30 p.m.: Another option comes off the board.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that free agent guard Dillon Brooks agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Houston Rockets. He’ll be a veteran defensive wing presence on Houston’s roster.
Free agent G Dillon Brooks has agreed on a four-year, $80 million contract with the Houston Rockets, his agent Mike George of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN. Rockets have now landed two targets in free agency — Fred VanVleet and Brooks. pic.twitter.com/dJHLWvwFjX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
Saturday, July 1, 4:14 p.m.: Dallas will have a veteran presence to lead its frontcourt remake.
Dwight Powell verbally agreed to a three-year, $12-million contract to remain with the franchise he joined in 2014, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed Saturday.
Dwight Powell has agreed to a 3-year deal to return to Mavericks, source confirms.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) July 1, 2023
The Mavs’ longest-tenured player will take a significant pay cut while helping develop top rookie Dereck Lively II.https://t.co/H6yyDsyEF5
Friday, June 30, 9:00 p.m.: The Mavericks added depth by bringing back a familiar face.
Seth Curry, now a Maverick for a third time, signed a two-year deal with Dallas, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed Friday.
Seth Curry has agreed to a two-year deal with the Mavs, source confirms.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) July 1, 2023
He reunites with former Duke teammate Kyrie Irving, and with Luka Doncic, who helped open Curry to shoot 45.2% from 3 in his last season with Dallas.
Third time's the charm?!https://t.co/TPgr7hQmwJ
Friday, June 30, 5:45 p.m.: Just before the first hour of free agency concluded, the Mavericks got their man.
Irving agreed to return to Dallas on a three-year, $126 million deal, a person close to the situation told The Dallas Morning News.
Guess who's back, back again.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) June 30, 2023
Kyrie is back (on less than the max, a source confirmed), tell a friend.https://t.co/Mp1j0QagV7
Friday, June 30, 5:18 p.m.: Another Mavericks target is off the board.
Free agent guard Bruce Brown agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, according to a report from ESPN.
ESPN reporting with @malikaandrews: Free agent Bruce Brown has agreed on a two-year, $45M deal with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Ty Sullivan and Steven Heumann of @CAASports tell ESPN. Denver — limited in what it could pay — loses a key piece to its repeat hopes.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2023
Thursday, June 29, 7:09 p.m.: One target down for the Mavs?
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday night that former Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Sacramento Kings, avoiding free agency and locking up a key piece of the Kings’ 2023 run to the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes – a key part of the franchise’s rise into Western Conference contention – has agreed on a new three-year, $54 million contract extension, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JCT4RUayt7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2023
Thursday, June 29, 3:08 p.m.: Free agency hasn’t opened yet, but it appears the Mavericks have at least one meeting set.
Denver Nuggets free agent Bruce Brown intends to meet with the Mavs soon after free agency opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Thursday.
Sources: Bruce Brown intends to meet with the Mavs soon after the opening of free agency. Brown is expected to have several suitors and has not ruled out a return to Denver despite the financial constraints. His market is $12.4M midlevel but Nuggets are limited to $7.8M.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 29, 2023
Who could Mavs target with mid-level exception?
Dillon Brooks
Position: Small forward/shooting guard
Age: 27
Previous teams: Memphis Grizzlies (2017-23)
Previous contract: 3 years, $35 million
The latest: Brooks agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Houston Rockets, according to a report from ESPN.
Bruce Brown Jr.
Position: Guard/small forward
Age: 26
Previous teams: Denver Nuggets (2022-23)
Previous contract: 2 years, $13.3 million (declined 2023-24 player option)
The latest: Brown agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, according to a report from ESPN.
Seth Curry
Position: Point guard/shooting guard
Age: 32
Previous teams: Brooklyn Nets (2021-2023)
Previous contract: 4 years, $32 million
The latest: Curry agreed to a two-year contract with the Mavericks.
Grant Williams
Position: Power forward
Age: 24
Previous teams: Boston Celtics (2019-23)
Previous contract: 4 years, $11.8 million (restricted free agent)
The latest: The Mavericks are acquiring Grant Williams in a three-team sign-and-trade deal.
Top stories
— Free agent Kyrie Irving agrees to 3-year deal with Dallas Mavericks
— Seth Curry agrees to two-year deal with Mavericks, reunites with Kyrie Irving and Dallas
— NBA free agency grades: Where Mavericks’ deals with Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, others rank
— Kyrie Irving, others react to All-Star guard’s new deal with Mavericks
— Dallas Mavericks agree to guaranteed deal with Dante Exum, report says
— Veteran center Dwight Powell agrees to three-year deal to return to Dallas Mavericks
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.