DHJ Quick Take
- Timberwolves’ New Core: Minnesota would acquire superstar point guard Kyrie Irving and veteran center Brook Lopez, significantly shifting their identity toward an offensive powerhouse built around Irving and Anthony Edwards.
- Clippers’ Defensive Pivot: LAC would bolster their interior defense by landing three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, moving on from their current frontcourt rotation.
- Mavericks’ Rebuild & Assets: Dallas would move on from Irving in exchange for a haul of depth and future assets, including Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanović, prospect Joan Beringer and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick.
A blockbuster three-team NBA proposal sending Kyrie Irving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason has been created.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade proposal between the Mavericks, Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers:
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: PG Kyrie Irving, C Brook Lopez
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: C Rudy Gobert
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Derrick Jones Jr., F Bogdan Bogdanović, C Joan Beringer, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected from Clippers via Indiana Pacers)
This trade proposal pairs Irving with Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Clippers pair Gobert with Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland and the Mavericks surround Cooper Flagg with solid veterans in Jones Jr. and Bogdanović.
Dallas also gets a future draft pick for its rebuild.
The Mavericks traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards at this year’s trade deadline, but the franchise chose to keep Irving. Why? Because the organization believes Flagg needs to play with an elite point guard to develop the right way, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal.
However, Flagg showed this season that he doesn’t necessarily need Irving to develop properly, which is why Swartz thinks the Mavericks should trade Irving this offseason “to acquire the future unprotected first-rounder.”
Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a rookie. He could win the Rookie of the Year Award.
Irving doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. The nine-time All-Star, who 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, will make $39.5 million next season. He’s better suited to play for a contender at this stage of his career, as Irving is 34 years old and coming off an ACL tear.
A one-time NBA champion, Irving is one of the best point guards in league history. The last time we saw the Duke product on the court, he was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. That’s the type of production Edwards needs next to him in the backcourt to reach the promised land.
It will be fascinating to see if the Mavericks trade or keep Irving this offseason. Dallas missed the playoffs again this year, while Minnesota is in the playoffs and LAC is in the play-in tournament.
The Timberwolves have been interested in trading for Irving in the past, sources said, so let’s see if they contact the Mavericks this offseason and inquire about Kyrie’s services.
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