What happened: Shams Charania said Irving could have returned in December or January had competitive conditions warranted it. The full season instead became a rehabilitation window.

Why it matters: Irving is fully entrenched in plans for 2026-27, reinforcing his unavailable status in trade talks. His return would restore a veteran creator after a year without game action.

What to watch: Training camp will provide the next measure of how his recovery translates to team activity.