Kyrie Irving’s return to the floor looked like the kind of reminder that changes conversations fast.
On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks guard played his first NBA game since March 3, 2025 and delivered 22 points in just 17 minutes as Dallas beat the Rockets 132-115 in China. That kind of burst is exactly why teams around the league are paying attention again, especially with the February trade deadline coming into view.
ESPN’s Tim McMahon reported that rival teams are watching to see whether Masai Ujiri might open trade talks involving Irving. But according to Brian Windhorst’s reporting on the Mavericks and Cooper Flagg, the noise around Irving is doing more work than the reality.
Irving, for his part, says his focus is squarely on helping Flagg grow into everything he can become.
“Your talent only gets you so far; being remembered for your work ethic and how you treated people and also that championship mindset you came in with every day, that's what people hold on to,” Irving said. “For me as a peer, but also as a brother, I look at him as someone that has a world of potential, but also still needs a lot of guidance just like we all do in basketball, a lot of teaching, a lot of knowledge being passed.”
Windhorst also reported that Ujiri wants to keep Irving and Flagg together. He wrote that “Ujiri has made it clear that the franchise is committed to keeping Irving with Flagg, who is 15 years younger than the star point guard. Rival front offices question whether Dallas can stick to that plan with roster holes elsewhere and the two stars on different career timelines,” Windhorst wrote.
In Other News...
Mavericks Keep Giving One Young Big Man Another Look
The Mavericks have spent the early part of camp cycling through the back end of their preseason roster, and the 21st spot has become a revolving door for a string of young players. Dallas has signed and waived Matt Cross, Darin Green Jr. and Chris Mantis along the way, a pretty clear sign the team is keeping its options open while sorting through developmental depth.
Jorge Diaz Graham is the latest big man to get another look, and there is at least some indication the Mavericks want to keep him around for a while. The broader picture is familiar for this time of year: Dallas is auditioning prospects, while other teams are making similar housekeeping moves, including the Clippers bringing back Fletcher Loyer on an Exhibit 10 deal and the Jazz opening a spot after waiving Mohamed Wague. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Gave This Stretch Big A Real Chance To Earn More
The Mavericks gave Jorge Diaz Graham a real look this preseason, signing the stretch big and assigning him jersey No. 23 after he spent summer with the team. He had already shown enough in Las Vegas to keep himself in the conversation, flashing shooting touch and the kind of forward-center versatility that can make a young big useful in a modern rotation.
Now the challenge gets sharper with only the final two preseason games left to make another impression. Diaz Graham is still competing against the rest of the camp bodies for limited opportunities, but there is at least a path to a two-way contract if he can keep standing out in the minutes he gets. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Made Their Two-Way Wing Battle Even Tougher
The Mavericks added another name to the mix on the wing, signing 6-foot-7 forward Matt Cross and bringing their preseason roster to 21 players. Cross is expected to be around for the teams final two preseason games, giving Dallas one more look at a player whose appeal comes from activity, rebounding, energy and a workable shot.
For a roster still sorting out its depth, Cross only adds to the pressure on the clubs two-way wing competition. His spot in the regular-season picture is far from settled, but the signing does increase the number of options Dallas has on the perimeter as the preseason winds down and decisions get closer. [Read more 🡒]