Kyrie Irving Fantasy Analysis: Is the Dallas Mavericks Star a Must-Draft for Your Team This Year
The NBA regular season is just around the corner, prompting many to consider their fantasy basketball drafts. A key player to evaluate is Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks. This season, fantasy managers face a dilemma regarding whether to include him on their rosters.
Kyrie Irving’s Injury Update
Kyrie Irving is recovering from a torn left ACL sustained on March 3. Reports indicate he is not expected to return until at least January. This injury casts doubt on his potential fantasy value this year.
Kyrie Irving’s Past Performance
Before his injury, Irving was a standout player in the league. In his 14th season, he averaged:
- 24.7 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 4.6 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 2.9 three-pointers per game
His shooting statistics were impressive, with splits of 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three, and 91.6% from the free-throw line. However, at 33 years old and standing 6-foot-2, there are uncertainties about his ability to return to form.
Team Changes and Competition
The Dallas Mavericks have made moves to bolster their roster during Irving’s recovery. They signed D’Angelo Russell and are integrating 2025 No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg. These additions might mean the team will approach Irving’s return cautiously.
Irving’s Fantasy Basketball Projections This Season
Current projections for Kyrie Irving estimate he will score around 1,378.0 fantasy points this season. His expected averages include:
- 19.2 points per game
- 3.8 rebounds per game
- 4.6 assists per game
- 1.0 steals per game
- 0.2 blocks per game
- 2.0 three-pointers per game
- 7.1 field goals per game
- 3.1 free throws per game
Rankings and Comparisons
In the upcoming season, Kyrie Irving is ranked 141st overall and 29th at his position. Comparatively, players ahead of him in overall ranking include:
- Jared McCain
- Joel Embiid
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Derik Queen
- Tyus Jones
Players ranked behind him include:
- Anthony Black
- Paul George
- Dejounte Murray
- Goga Bitadze
- Lonzo Ball
At his position, those ahead include Davion Mitchell, Dylan Harper, Chris Paul, Jared McCain, and Tyus Jones, while players ranked behind him are Anthony Black, Lonzo Ball, Russell Westbrook, T.J. McConnell, and Andrew Nembhard.
Conclusion
Kyrie Irving’s status as a must-draft player for fantasy teams remains complicated. Given his injury and team adjustments, he may represent a high-risk pick for this season. Fantasy managers should weigh these factors carefully as they finalize their drafts.
