Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving does not anticipate continuing his NBA career into his 40s, despite several veteran stars remaining active at an advanced age.
Irving, who turns 35 in March, is entering his 16th NBA season and has begun considering how much longer he wants to play professionally.
His former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James is preparing for his 24th NBA season and will turn 42 on December 30. However, Irving does not expect to follow a similar career timeline.
“Basketball is an eternal flame,” said Irving. “But I don’t see myself playing in the NBA at 42, 43. Shoutout to the head honcho over there still going. Even Steph (Curry). Klay (Thompson) and James (Harden) and KD (Kevin Durant).
“I looked at those guys as big brothers for a while, but now that I’m in this age of 34, 35, I love my manhood and growing as a man more than growing as a basketball player.”
Irving also mentioned Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden and Kevin Durant as veteran players he has looked up to throughout his career.
The Mavericks guard is returning from a torn ACL that sidelined him for 19 months. He participated in one of Dallas’ preseason games in Macau and appears to have recovered from the injury.
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Irving holds a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 season, giving him the opportunity to remain with Dallas beyond the current campaign.
