Kyrie Irving is in his second full season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Irving could opt out of his $43.9 million player option for the 2026 season at the end of this campaign, leaving some to wonder about his future.

However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested the eight-time All-Star doesn’t want to go anywhere, but with one caveat.

“The way he plays is so strong,” Windhorst said. “I think he wants to stay in Dallas, but they’re going to have to pay him.”

Tim MacMahon, also from ESPN, elaborated on the situation on the Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective podcast, in which he says Irving is “extremely happy” in Dallas and that the team views him as a “locker room leader.”

“They’re going to put a big number on the table for him,” MacMahon said. “He’s been extremely happy in Dallas, they’re very happy with him. He’s the leader of this locker room, there’s no question about that, and right now he’s playing as well as he’s ever played.”

After controversial tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, Irving has seemingly found a forever home in Dallas.

Irving helped the Mavs back to the Finals in his first full season with the team and is off to a very strong start, averaging 24.3 points on 54.5% shooting, including 53.8% shooting from three-point range in his first 14 competitions.

Irving appears to have good relationships with Luka Dončić, Mavs coach Jason Kidd, owner Mark Cuban, general manager Nico Harrison and several other people within the organization, so it wouldn’t be a shock if he wanted to extend his stay in Dallas.

However, one disappointing playoff run could suddenly change the atmosphere around the team.

MORE MAVS NEWS: Ex-Mavs guard reveals Dallas ‘threatened’ trade after Luka Doncic arrival