What happened: Kyrie Irving emphasized a focus on his legacy and a desire to give back to the next generation of players. The guard stated his relationship with basketball has evolved and the sport no longer feels like a job.

Why it matters: Irving recently returned to the court in Macao after a 586-day absence for an ACL rehabilitation. He is rejoining a Mavericks lineup that is integrating new prospects ahead of the regular season.

What to watch: Irving will continue his on-court conditioning during the remainder of the preseason schedule.