Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants Kyrie Irving to have a big say in his NBA future.
During an appearance on the “House of Haymaker” podcast, Cuban urged the Mavericks to let Irving dictate his future.
“The first thing you do is talk to Kyrie,” Cuban said. “You do whatever Kyrie wants because that’s what Kyrie has earned. He’s not just some guy. He got us to the Finals, not alone obviously, but he’s a Hall of Fame-caliber superstar who plays his heart out every minute of every game. He’s also one of the best people you’ll ever meet. You ask Kyrie, ‘What do you want to do?’ And that’s what you do.”
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.
