Kyrie Irving’s future with the Dallas Mavericks is in doubt after the team traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Davis trade signaled the front office’s decision to start the team’s rebuild around 19-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg. The 33-year-old Irving, who is recovering from a torn left ACL, could exit next after Davis.
What the Mavs decide to do with Irving will depend on their degree of commitment to start the rebuild. Trading Davis gave them two future first-round picks (2026 and 2030) to add to the 2029 first-round capital they got in the Luka Doncic trade. Dallas doesn’t have control of its own first-round picks from 2027 to 2030, so having three first-round picks from other teams will boost its rebuild.
Kyrie Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He might not return as the Mavericks are struggling to even make the play-in tournament. The Mavs will likely look to rebuild Irving’s value when he’s fully healthy next season before considering a trade.
If Irving regains his 2024-25 All-Star form, the Mavericks could then use him to acquire younger players to build around Flagg or pursue expiring contracts and more future first-round picks.
Minnesota Timberwolves could trade for Kyrie Irving: Report
Kyrie Irving, who reportedly wanted to return in March, could remain out following the Anthony Davis trade. The 19-31 Mavericks are 12th in the fiercely contested Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Portland Trail Blazers (23-28) for the 10th spot. Dallas has a better chance of winning the 2026 draft lottery if Irving remains out.
Sports Illustrated’s Will Ragatz wrote on Wednesday about how Irving could see action again if the Minnesota Timberwolves trade for him:
“Irving hasn’t played since tearing his ACL early last March. … There would be some risk that comes with acquiring him, but there would be a lot of upside. Irving’s ability to handle the ball and to play off the ball might make him an ideal backcourt partner for Anthony Edwards, much like he fit alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas. Irving has championship pedigree and nearly 100 games of playoff experience.”
The Timberwolves (31-20), looking to earn a guaranteed playoff spot, have been looking to upgrade at point guard since the start of the season. They dropped the aging Mike Conley from the starting unit before eventually trading him to the Chicago Bulls early this week.
Minnesota reportedly dumped Conley’s $10.7 million salary to create flexibility in its pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the two-time MVP goes elsewhere, pivoting to Kyrie Irving to address a glaring need makes sense for the Timberwolves.
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