Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd rumored to be optimistic Irving could return this year

According to US sports media F/W analyst Siddhant Gupta, Kyrie Irving's absence has been one of the main topics of the Mavericks' offseason. While Irving said there is no official timetable for a return, the Mavericks are in dire need of their superstar guard as they start the 2025-26 season with a 2-4 record. Initial reports suggested Irving would not return until January 2026, but Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd seemed more optimistic about the nine-time All-Star's return timeline when speaking with The Athletic's Christian Clark. "We can't wait to have him back at some point," Kidd said. "Hopefully it'll be in '25, not '26. But we'll see what happens."

Kidd's comments could be a huge morale booster for Dallas, especially if it proves to be accurate. With only two months left in the calendar year, getting Irving back into the rotation as quickly as possible would be a significant advantage for the Mavericks. Clark noted that Kidd has generally been reluctant to provide any updates on Kyrie Irving, adding that he struck a conservative tone in his comments on the subject at the Mavericks media day in September. Therefore, for the Mavericks head coach to issue such a statement can only show that the guard's recovery journey is promising.

Irving participated in non-contact drills as part of his recovery from an ACL injury. While there may be more concerns about his overall playing status, the Mavericks will likely use this time to ensure the 33-year-old is fully prepared for his return.

Kyrie Irving has been an integral part of the Mavericks' success this season

Before the regular season began, some sources predicted that the Dallas Mavericks would become one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference. With some solid role players and a talented rookie in Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are anchored by the superstar duo of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. For all intents and purposes, many even view the Mavericks as championship favorites. However, a lot will depend on overall health and Irving's availability during the season.

Kyrie Irving has been an integral part of the team's success this season. As one of the most reliable offensive players in the league, the 33-year-old can single-handedly change the direction of a game. The Mavericks need his scoring and playmaking skills given Dallas currently has one of the lowest offensive ratings in the league at 104.2.

Last season, the nine-time All-Star averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range. Given Flagg's huge expectations for on-court chemistry with Irving, the Mavericks hope the guard returns as soon as possible to help Dallas turn things around. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will look to stay competitive as they next face the Houston Rockets. But with Anthony Davis expected to remain sidelined, prospects for the game appear bleak. If the team cannot stop the bleeding in time and wait until all the players return, it may be too late to make the final sprint. What do you think?