How the Lakers can land LeBron, Kawhi and Paul George

Kyrie Irving has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season. Irving suffered the injury in Monday’s game.

Irving was an All-Star this season and appeared in 50 of the Dallas Mavericks’ 62 games. Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 40.1 percent on three-pointers.

Irving was expected to decline his $43.96 million player option for the 25-26 season to become a free agent prior to suffering this injury with the expectation of remaining with the Mavericks long-term. Irving could opt in to the final year of his deal, and sign a four-year extension worth up to $266.7 million. Irving could also opt out and sign a five-year deal worth as much as $313.9 million.

The Mavericks acquired Irving at the trade deadline in 2023 and the subsequently agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract in free agency with a player option in Year 3. Irving is represented by Shetellia Riley and turns 33 in a few weeks.

Victor Wembanyama received the most votes as the player NBA general managers would select to build a franchise around at 77 percent. Wembanyama also received the most votes as the best defensive player in the NBA at 40 percent.

Wembanyama was the unanimous winner of the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Wembanyama is predicted by many to to win Defensive Player of the Year and make an All-NBA team this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic each received 10 percent of the vote for the question of player to start a franchise with. Last season, Jokic was the leading vote-getter at 33 percent.

Previous Years for player to start a franchise with