Ranking Dallas Mavericks contracts from bargain to nightmare

8. Kyrie Irving

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving during the middle of last season, they did so with the intent of re-signing him last summer. There was no point in trading for Irving if they thought they couldn't re-sign him, and they got a deal done on the first night of free agency last summer.

Dallas signed Irving to a three-year, $126 million contract, which is good value for a top point guard in the NBA. $40 million annually for Luka Doncic's co-star is a great number, and now Irving just has to stay healthy. Health has been an issue for Irving throughout his career, and it was a problem for Irving at the beginning of this season.

If Irving can play 70+ games over the next few seasons, the Mavs will be in good shape. Dallas is a completely different team when both Irving and Doncic are healthy, and without Irving, this team has nowhere near as much firepower. His ability to take over the game at any given moment is phenomenal, and no one else on the team outside of Doncic can do that.

Irving is under contract for this season and two more seasons, but has a player option after next season. He seems to love playing in Dallas and his teammates love him, but only time will tell if Irving will be a Maverick long-term.