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Kyrie Irving set for China return: Southwest Division roundup
No games on the schedule, but Kyrie Irving’s planned return in China and the Pelicans’ signing of Jalon Moore headlined a quiet day in the Southwest Division.
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There were no games involving Southwest Division teams, but it was still a noteworthy day. Kyrie Irving’s looming return for the Dallas Mavericks overseas and a depth move by the New Orleans Pelicans highlighted a relatively quiet news cycle early in the season.
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving back on the floor
Hoops Rumors reports, citing the Dallas Sports Journal, that Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will be back on the court Sunday in China. It will be his first game since tearing his left ACL in a March 3, 2025 contest. Irving had hoped to return at some point late last season but never made it back to game action, telling reporters about that process earlier this week.
Dallas has opened the season 0-1 in the Southwest, and getting Irving into live action again is a key step as the Mavericks try to climb the standings. Hoops Rumors’ Southwest notes also reference other players around the division, but without additional details on their situations for now.
Pelicans: New Orleans signs forward Jalon Moore
The Pelicans have signed free agent forward Jalon Moore, according to a team release relayed by Hoops Rumors. The 6’7" wing played two seasons at Georgia Tech from 2021–23 and two more at Oklahoma from 2023–25 before going undrafted last year. As a senior in 2024/25, he averaged 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game.
New Orleans sits at 1-1 in the young season and continues to tinker with its wing depth. Moore’s addition gives the Pelicans another look on the perimeter as they sort out their rotation in a crowded Western Conference field.
Hardaway Jr. moves on from Dallas, quiet elsewhere
Away from the division, former Mavericks wing Tim Hardaway Jr. told the Miami Herald it was a “no-brainer” to sign a one-year, $6.5MM contract with the Heat, as highlighted by Hoops Rumors. The move formalizes his exit from Dallas after he had long hoped for an opportunity in Miami.
There were no notable updates from the 1-0 Houston Rockets, the 2-1 Memphis Grizzlies or the 0-2 San Antonio Spurs. With an off day on the calendar, those teams will use the brief lull to make internal adjustments before the Southwest schedule ramps back up.