DALLAS — ESPN’s Tim MacMahon believes Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving could be a prime trade target for contenders at the 2027 NBA trade deadline if the Mavericks are struggling.
A future Hall of Famer, Irving will play next season after missing all of last season. He was recovering from the left ACL tear he suffered during the 2024-25 season.
“Teams across the league are intrigued by how, or if, the 34-year-old Irving fits in the Mavericks’ long-term plans as the franchise prioritizes building around its teenage prodigy,” MacMahon wrote. “A healthy Irving, who has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists per game in a Mavs uniform, could be a prime target for contenders before the trade deadline if new Dallas president Masai Ujiri is willing to engage in those discussions.”
Mavericks Shut Down Irving Trade Interest This Offseason
Several contenders were interested in trading for Irving this offseason, but the Mavericks told interested teams they wanted to keep Irving next to Cooper Flagg, sources told Dallas Sports Journal.
Irving and Flagg have a close relationship, sources said. Flagg received constant, invaluable mentorship from Irving last season even though Kyrie didn’t play, sources said.
The Mavericks won just 26 games last season, but Flagg had a fantastic rookie campaign. The 19-year-old played in 70 games and averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field, 29.5% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line.
Flagg registered 13 double-doubles and won the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award. His best game was against the Orlando Magic on April 3.
Flagg put up 51 points in 33 minutes, becoming the first teenager and the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a game.
Kyrie Is A Special Talent
Irving will make $39.5 million next season. The Mavericks acquired the Duke product from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 season.
The 2011-12 Rookie of the Year, Irving 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 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Nets and Mavericks.
The 2016 NBA champion with Cleveland averaged 24.7 points and 4.6 assists per game during the 2024-25 season before tearing his ACL against the Sacramento Kings.
Irving helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals in 2024, a series the Celtics won in five games. In 128 regular-season games with Dallas, Irving is averaging 25.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. The Mavericks are 75-53 when Irving plays.
If the Mavericks have a poor record near the 2027 NBA trade deadline, it will be fascinating to see what happens with Irving, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
