DHJ Quick Take: Irving’s Precarious Dallas Future
- Insiders Skeptical of Stay: NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report doesn’t “necessarily believe” Kyrie Irving will remain with the Dallas Mavericks long-term as the franchise continues to pivot its roster direction.
- Trade Market Interest: Multiple NBA contenders are interested in trading for the 34-year-old champion this offseason—who lacks a no-trade clause and is owed $39.5 million next season—viewing him as an ideal win-now piece despite him missing the entire year recovering from an ACL tear.
- Timeline Disconnect: The prevailing belief across league circles is that the veteran guard is best suited for a championship contender, which directly conflicts with Dallas’ current timeline of building around 19-year-old cornerstone Cooper Flagg.
NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report doesn’t “necessarily believe” Kyrie Irving will remain with the Dallas Mavericks.
Irving is 34 years old and turns 35 in March 2027. He missed all of this season recovering from an ACL tear in his left knee.
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.
Many people around the NBA believe Irving is best suited to play for a championship contender at this stage of his career. Dallas, of course, is building around 19-year-old Cooper Flagg. The Duke product won the Rookie of the Year Award this season, but the Mavericks went only 26-56 and missed the playoffs again.
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 offseason, 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.”
The Mavericks acquired Irving from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 season. Irving and Luka Dončić led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024. The Boston Celtics beat the Mavericks in five games and Nico Harrison stunningly traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.
The Mavericks have the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft. Ujiri hired Mike Schmitz as Dallas’ new general manager. Ujiri and Schmitz still need to hire a head coach.
It will be fascinating to see if Irving remains with the Mavericks or gets traded for the third time in his career. The 2011-12 Rookie of the Year enters next season with career averages of 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in the regular season and 23.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in the playoffs.
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