DHJ Quick Take: Timeline Alignment Concerns
- Executive Scrutiny: NBA executives are closely monitoring the long-term dynamic between Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, questioning how well the two stars can co-exist given the vastly different stages of their respective careers.
- Contrasting Timelines: The 34-year-old Irving—who missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from an ACL tear—is primed to win now on a contender, while the 19-year-old Flagg is anchoring a rebuilding Dallas Mavericks team that finished 26-56.
- Trade Market Leverage: With multiple contenders interested in acquiring Irving this offseason, the Mavericks hold full control over a potential move, as the veteran guard lacks a no-trade clause and is set to make $39.5 million next season.
NBA executives are monitoring how long Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving can co-exist with Cooper Flagg since the two players are in different stages of their careers, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Irving is 34. He missed all of this season recovering from an ACL tear. The nine-time All-Star is best suited to play for a championship contender at this stage of his career.
Meanwhile, Flagg is only 19. He won the Rookie of the Year Award this season, but the Mavericks went only 26-56 and missed the playoffs again.
Several NBA contenders are interested in trading for Irving this offseason, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal. Irving doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. The 2016 NBA champion will make $39.5 million next season.
New Mavericks president Masai Ujiri spoke highly of Irving while addressing reporters following the parting of ways with head coach Jason Kidd. As of this writing, there is no indication that Dallas is looking to move Irving this summer, sources said.
“Kevin Durant once told me that there’s only one Kyrie walking around in the world,” Ujiri said. “I think we have to figure out a way, how Kyrie fits with our program. And I’ve had those conversations with Kyrie. And I think Kyrie will fit. As I said it before, there’s a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg.”
Irving holds career averages of 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks. The 2011-12 Rookie of the Year has a very close relationship with Flagg, sources said. Irving was a mentor to Flagg behind the scenes this season, sources said.
The Mavericks have the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft. Ujiri hired Mike Schmitz as Dallas’ new general manager.
In his role, Schmitz will help lead all areas of basketball operations, including scouting, player personnel, strategic planning and organizational collaboration across departments.
Dallas Hoops Journal senior reporter Grant Afseth contributed to this report.
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