NBA: Kyrie Irving plays for the Dallas Mavericks against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.

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Detroit Pistons Among Teams Eyeing Kyrie Irving As Dallas Mavericks Signal He’s Off The Market

Jake RogersJune 19, 2026 11:39 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Pistons Have Interest, but Kyrie Irving Isn’t on the Block

The Stein Line lists Kyrie Irving among the Detroit Pistons‘ pricier trade targets, yet the Dallas Mavericks continue to tell teams their veteran guard isn’t available as the draft approaches.

Who wants him? Detroit and Minnesota have shown the most interest, with the Pistons hunting backcourt shooting and playmaking around Cade Cunningham.
Why is he tough to get? Dallas has held firm that Irving isn’t for sale, his deal includes a 15% trade kicker, and ownership wants to see him paired with Cooper Flagg.
Where does his deal stand? Irving carries a $39.5 million salary for 2026-27 and a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28 after missing last season with a torn ACL.
What’s next? The first round of the NBA Draft tips Tuesday, 7 p.m. CT, ABC/ESPN, with Dallas holding picks 9, 30, and 48.

The Detroit Pistons are among the teams that have checked in on Kyrie Irving this offseason, though the Dallas Mavericks guard sits among the costlier names on Detroit’s wish list, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Fischer reported that the Pistons, coming off a 60-win season, are intent on adding shooting and playmaking around Cade Cunningham, and that the group Detroit views as most attainable is headlined by Tyler Herro, Coby White, and Isaiah Joe. Irving and New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III land a tier above that group, perceived around the league as harder and more expensive to pry loose.

Detroit Pistons Hunt Backcourt Help After a 60-Win Season

Detroit’s interest fits a broader plan to upgrade the depth around Cunningham, and Fischer noted the Pistons have signaled they intend to make a significant move this summer rather than simply run it back. That ambition is part of why a name like Irving’s even surfaces, despite Dallas showing no willingness to engage.

The Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves are the two teams most often tied to Irving’s market, while Houston, long floated as a logical fit, hasn’t actually made any overtures to the Mavericks about his availability.

Dallas Mavericks Hold Firm on Kyrie Irving

None of that outside interest has nudged Dallas off its stance. Marc Stein reported earlier this month that the Mavericks have repeatedly told teams Irving isn’t available, even as calls come in, and there’s been no indication that the front office plans to shift course before the draft. Irving’s contract carries a 15% trade kicker on top of a salary that already complicates any match, further raising the bar for a serious run at him.

Irving, 34, missed all of the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in March 2025, and he’s targeting a return for 2026-27. He’s under contract for $39.5 million next season, with a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28.

Where Kyrie Irving Fits the Dallas Mavericks’ Timeline

Beyond the money, the Mavericks have tied Irving to their next competitive window rather than treated him as a movable asset. Ownership is said to be high on seeing Irving share a backcourt with Cooper Flagg, and new basketball boss Masai Ujiri pointed to that same pairing during his introductory press conference.

Not everyone around the league expects Irving to finish the offseason in Dallas, and the debate over his long-term fit will follow the team into camp, but the Mavericks have kept their public messaging consistent, framing him as part of the plan rather than a piece to be moved.