The Dallas Mavericks' plan to trade Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks may be laying the groundwork for a future trade of Kyrie Irving. The idea would be to give him games during the start of the 2026-27 season to assess his recovery from the torn anterior cruciate ligament and, above all, increase his market value. If he responds physically and regains his level, the point guard would once again become a very attractive piece for teams vying for the championship. In fact, a three-way proposal involving Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors has already emerged, which could even be executed before the start of the season.

The situation in Dallas is particularly delicate because Kyrie can be both a sporting solution and an asset to rebuild around Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks have still conveyed to other franchises that they do not intend to move him, but there are teams that continue to monitor his situation. The key will be understanding whether the front office considers that the best way to leverage his value is to keep him alongside Flagg or wait until he proves he is still a game-changing player to convert him into young talent and draft picks.

The plan is to showcase Kyrie

It doesn't make much sense for Dallas to trade Irving right now. After missing the entire previous season, his value is inevitably conditioned by physical uncertainty. In contrast, a few months of playing normally would completely change the market perception. Before getting injured, Irving was averaging 24.7 points and 4.6 assists per game in 2024-25.

The strategy would also have a second advantage: it would allow testing whether the partnership between Irving and Flagg actually works. Kyrie brings exactly what a young player like Flagg most needs: creation off the dribble, the ability to resolve complicated possessions, outside shooting, and experience in end-game situations. If both fit and Dallas competes for the playoffs, the trade would lose its relevance. If the team again finds itself far from contention, the temptation to convert Irving into future assets will significantly grow.

And that brings us to the fundamental element: Dallas doesn't need to decide today. They can wait for Kyrie to increase his value and then choose between competing with him or using him as a trade chip.

The trade that could happen sooner

Zach Buckley from Bleacher Report has proposed a three-way operation that sends Irving to Detroit. It is not a confirmed negotiation, but it is a particularly interesting proposal because it addresses specific needs of all three franchises.

The operation makes much more sporting sense than it may initially appear. Detroit would sacrifice future assets for an immediate leap: Cade Cunningham needs another creator capable of taking on offensive responsibilities, and Kyrie could transform the Pistons into a much more dangerous playoff team. It wouldn't just be about adding scoring but incorporating a player able to create advantages when defenses eliminate first options.

For Golden State, P.J. Washington represents a much more functional piece. His size, defensive capability, and outside shooting fit well around Stephen Curry, especially in a scenario where the Warriors need depth and players who can occupy multiple positions.

Dallas is definitely betting on Flagg

The most important part lies with the Mavericks. If they trade Kyrie, Naji, and P.J., they would receive a collection of young players with room for growth. Podziemski, Holland, and Moody offer different but complementary profiles, while the first-round pick of 2028 adds another asset to continue building around Flagg.

The risk is evident: Dallas would lose its main creator and two important rotation pieces in one go. That's why it's hard to imagine the move happening before seeing Irving play. But precisely that is the paradox: the better Kyrie plays, the more sense it will make to trade him if the Mavericks decide to rebuild, because the higher the offer they could demand.

Moreover, Taurean Prince cannot be added to another contract in a trade until September 8, a circumstance that makes this date the first relevant timeframe for this particular proposal.

A move that could shape Dallas' future

The most logical scenario remains that Irving will start the season in Texas. The Mavericks have rejected inquiries for him and have conveyed that they want to assess his fit with Flagg. However, the possibility of a trade does not disappear; it simply gets postponed.

Kyrie needs to prove he is healthy again. If he does, Dallas will face a huge dilemma: to bet on a pair with enough talent to compete or to capitalize on the revaluation of a 34-year-old veteran to accelerate the construction of the project around Cooper Flagg. And the proposal with Detroit and Golden State shows that there are already formulas on the table capable of turning that possibility into one of the major deals of the season.

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