The Dallas Mavericks have so far resisted any trade interest in Kyrie Irving throughout the offseason, but that stance might just be temporary, as the franchise reportedly plans to let the veteran guard rebuild his trade value before thinking about a move at the trade deadline.
According to Sean Devaney of Heavy Sports, the Mavericks are expected to play Irving through January and see how he looks after returning from a torn ACL, and then see if a trade does make sense.
Irving’s market is slightly complicated right now because he has not played since his ACL injury in March 2025. He is owed roughly $40 million this season, and he has a player option for around $42 million for the 2027-28 season.
That combination makes his comeback very important. A Western Conference executive told Devaney that Irving could become very attractive if he proves that he can still produce at an All-Star level.
“If you have some sense that, OK, we pay him $40 million this year, and next year he opts out and we can do a two-year deal or a three year deal at a lesser number, then I think you can do something. If he comes back and he is scoring 24, 25 points (per game), then you will have teams willing to give up a first-round pick for him. Maybe more, maybe a young player, too. But with his injury history, I don’t think you give up more than one first.”
That lines up with the situation with Irving. The Mavericks have not yet entertained any trade rumors, but rival teams are still keeping a close eye as the February deadline approaches. Marc Stein had reported in the past that other organizations are still wondering how firmly the Mavericks are sticking to their stance once the season begins.
The obvious reason is Cooper Flagg.
Flagg is only 19 and has become the centerpiece for the Mavericks, while Irving is 34. The Mavericks still think that Irving can help Flagg develop and become a better player, but the two are operating on two very different timelines.
Irving’s last healthy season showed why Dallas has no reason to sell him on a cheap deal. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 47.3% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.
If he does return to anywhere close to that level, his market will be considerably different in January than it is now.
The contract also creates a very important factor.
Devaney noted that a contender getting Irving may want some understanding that he would decline his 2027-28 option and negotiate a new two-year or three-year contract with a significantly lower annual salary.
Without that kind of arrangement, taking on more than $40 million for a season could limit interest.
That’s why the Mavericks have every incentive to wait.
Trading Irving away before he proves he’s healthy would likely mean getting a low return. Allowing him to play alongside Flagg would give the Mavericks a chance to evaluate the pairing while also increasing his value.
Several contenders could be interested if Irving looks healthy again. But for now, there is no active trade market for Irving, and Irving has not requested a trade either.
But the Mavericks’ reported plan appears clean: get Irving healthy, let him prove he can still dominate, and then revisit the trade market in January.
If he is back to scoring 25 points per game, the Mavericks might suddenly have a very valuable deadline asset rather than a very expensive question mark.
Leave a Comment