Why the Mavericks Should Play the Long Game with Kyrie Irving’s Return
At 10-17 and sitting 12th in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks are stuck in that dreaded NBA middle ground - not quite bad enough to bottom out, but nowhere near good enough to hang with the West’s elite. And while there are whispers that Kyrie Irving could be ready to return if the playoffs started today, the reality is far more complicated - and far less urgent.
Let’s be clear: bringing Irving back this season doesn’t move the needle for Dallas in any meaningful way. Even if he were fully healthy - and he’s not, still recovering from a torn ACL - the Mavericks would be fighting an uphill battle just to sneak into the play-in.
And if they did manage to claw their way into the postseason, they’d be staring down a first-round matchup with one of the West’s juggernauts. That’s not a path to a Cinderella run - that’s a recipe for a quick exit.
This isn’t about questioning Irving’s talent or competitive fire. When healthy, he's still one of the most dynamic guards in the league.
But at 33, coming off a major knee injury, this is about playing the long game. Guards rely heavily on burst, agility, and quick-twitch movements - all things that take time to fully regain after an ACL tear.
Rushing him back would be shortsighted, especially when the Mavericks aren’t in a position to make real noise this year.
So what’s the smart move? Shut him down.
Not because he can’t help - but because the Mavericks need to think beyond this season. Let him rehab fully, return next year at 100 percent, and be the veteran leader they envisioned when they extended him last offseason.
That’s the version of Kyrie Dallas needs - not a compromised one trying to salvage a season that’s already slipping away.
A Roster Reset Might Be the Best Play
If anything, this season presents Dallas with an opportunity - not to chase a playoff berth, but to reset. With Cooper Flagg in the fold and the 2026 NBA Draft shaping up to be loaded with talent, the Mavericks would be wise to explore the trade market for pieces like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. That’s not waving the white flag - that’s strategic positioning.
Dallas doesn’t control its own draft capital until 2031, but if they can maneuver their way into a bottom-five record this year, they’d at least give themselves a fighting chance at securing a high pick through swap rights or protections. That’s a 12.3% shot at the No. 1 overall pick - and in a deep draft, even landing in the top five could net another foundational piece to pair with Flagg.
This isn’t about tanking for the sake of tanking. It’s about maximizing the window that’s clearly being built around Flagg and a healthy Irving in the future.
Winning just enough games to miss the playoffs and lose draft positioning would be the worst-case scenario. Dallas needs to pick a lane - and the smart one is future-focused.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
There’s a version of this team next season that could be legitimately dangerous. A fully recovered Irving running the show, Flagg taking a second-year leap, and perhaps a new young star added through the draft - that’s a core you can build around. And with no incentive to tank in 2026 (since they won’t own their pick), that’s the year to push chips in and compete.
But that only works if Dallas plays it right now. That means resisting the urge to rush Irving back.
That means making tough decisions at the trade deadline. That means embracing the reality of where this team stands today in order to set up where it could be tomorrow.
Kyrie Irving is a competitor - he’ll want to play. But the Mavericks need to protect him from himself. Unless this team makes a dramatic jump in the standings over the next few weeks, the best move for both the player and the franchise is to hit pause, not fast-forward.
Let Irving heal. Let the roster evolve. And let the future - not a fleeting shot at the play-in - drive the decisions.