The Dallas Mavericks are at a pivotal point as they prepare for the upcoming offseason, with Cooper Flagg emerging as their franchise cornerstone. One intriguing aspect to watch is Kyrie Irving's potential role in shaping the team's future.
During a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, analyst Zach Lowe highlighted Irving as a "pretty interesting trade candidate" as teams explore their offseason strategies.
Irving, who will turn 34 on March 23, is under contract for $39.5 million next season, with a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 season. He hasn't played in the 2025-26 season following ACL surgery in March, and the Mavericks have officially ruled him out for the remainder of the season to focus on his full recovery.
His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, emphasized the importance of Kyrie returning at full strength next season to pursue a championship. Despite his absence on the court, Irving remains actively involved with the team, working closely with medical staff and maintaining a leadership presence in the locker room.
The Mavericks are also expected to bring in a new general manager this offseason, a move that will be crucial in determining the team's direction. The basketball operations team currently sees Irving as a complementary piece to Flagg.
Dallas is at a crossroads, needing to decide whether to build quickly around Flagg or focus on long-term asset management. This decision will likely fall to the new front office as they chart a path forward.
Irving's career stats are impressive, with averages of 23.7 points and 5.6 assists per game, shooting 47.4% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range over 14 NBA seasons. In Dallas, he's averaged 25.5 points per game with over 40% shooting from beyond the arc.
Currently, the Mavericks are struggling with a 19-36 record and a 10-game losing streak, shifting their focus to future planning. They have full control of their 2026 first-round pick but lack control over their first-round selections through 2031. Irving's impact could be crucial, as his presence on the court could improve the team's performance and influence their lottery positioning significantly.