NBA Rumors: The Trade That Would Send Kyrie Irving to the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Dallas Mavericks face a situation as unexpected as exciting. On paper, the future of the franchise should not be particularly promising after the controversial decision last year to trade Luka Doncic.

The departure of the team's star player was heavily criticized, and the return received did not convince a large part of the NBA community. Dallas had lost its best player and, furthermore, lacked assets to undergo a deep reconstruction. However, fate took a radical turn.

The Mavericks pulled off one of the great moves of the 2025 Draft by acquiring Cooper Flagg, a talent considered capable of changing the course of a franchise. In the NBA, building a winning team requires many factors, but having a generational star is the essential first step. Now, Dallas's great challenge is to properly surround Flagg.

The franchise still has few available assets, so immediately diving into an aggressive competition could be premature. In that context, the possibility arises of using Kyrie Irving as a piece to restructure the project and obtain future resources. That is precisely the idea put forward by Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, through a proposed three-team trade.

The trade proposal

In the scenario presented, the Minnesota Timberwolves would receive Kyrie Irving and Brook Lopez. The Los Angeles Clippers would acquire Rudy Gobert. Meanwhile, Dallas would take on Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, Joan Beringer, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick from the Clippers via Indiana Pacers.

From Dallas's perspective, the operation would allow them to add roster depth without completely compromising the team's immediate competitiveness. Derrick Jones Jr. would bring defense and outside shooting as a "three-and-D" specialist, while Bogdanovic would continue to offer scoring ability.

Another standout name in the operation would be Joan Beringer. The 2.08-meter center stands out for his mobility despite his size and possesses a versatile profile. Although still in the process of offensive development, he is considered a player with potential to become a starter in the NBA.

Nevertheless, the most valuable asset in the operation would be the 2029 unprotected first-round pick. Dallas needs to accumulate draft capital if they want to build a solid project around Cooper Flagg or, in the future, seek another star to complement him. For a franchise lacking draft picks, adding a pick of that value would be a significant strategic move.

Kyrie Irving remains one of the most talented players in the league, and his partnership with Doncic made competitive sense. However, with the departure of the Slovenian, the situation has completely changed. The new President of Operations, Masai Ujiri, seems to be focused on building a project designed to compete in a few years. And this operation would fit into that roadmap, allowing Dallas to remain competitive in the short term while strengthening its future options.

After months marked by doubts following Doncic's departure, the arrival of Cooper Flagg and the possibility of accumulating new assets have changed the perception of the Mavericks' future, as they once again look forward with optimism.