One NBA analyst thinks the Dallas Mavericks missed their chance to move Kyrie Irving this summer.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes Dallas should have dealt the former Duke star over the offseason, arguing that the team’s current roster construction may no longer line up with Irving’s timeline. His preferred destination was the Orlando Magic, a move he sees as serving both sides: Orlando would land a veteran guard to boost a team coming off a title, while Dallas would add future assets and keep building around young forward Cooper Flagg.
Irving remains with the Mavericks for now, and the focus shifts to what he can bring after missing all of last season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Dallas is counting on him to help push the team back toward the playoffs after missing out a year ago, but a sluggish start could easily reignite the trade chatter that has followed him entering the season.
There’s also the bigger question of fit. Irving still has a few years left on his contract, but at this stage of his career - he’s in his mid-30s - he may be more interested in a contender. And while Dallas has held off on making any move, Swartz’s take reflects the tension around where the Mavericks are now and where they might be headed next.
Irving’s resume still carries plenty of weight. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Duke, he has made nine All-Star teams and won one title, among other accomplishments. Duke, as always, has another former standout in the middle of an NBA conversation.
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Cooper Flagg is already settling into year two with the Dallas Mavericks, and even in the early preseason stretch he is keeping Duke fans plugged into the NBA conversation. The 2025-26 Rookie of the Year recently unveiled the logo for his signature shoe line with New Balance, another sign that his profile keeps rising fast after his first pro season.
Kyrie Irvings situation is the one Blue Devils fans will keep watching most closely as preseason rolls on. His return to the court is still uncertain and will hinge on his physical condition and travel-related factors, which gives Duke supporters another reason to track the exhibition schedule with interest. Cam Boozer has also jumped out early, scoring in double figures in each of his first two preseason games, adding more Duke flavor to a fall full of familiar names. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Faces Its First Real ACC Road Test At Georgia Tech
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Duke Faces One Big Test As Jon Scheyer Reloads Again
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The challenge now is that the next version has to prove itself almost immediately. Dukes roster mix is tilted toward continuity, with four of last seasons top six scorers back and nine newcomers joining the fold, but the schedule is loaded with high-end tests and the margin for another deep March run may be thinner than it has looked in recent years. [Read more 🡒]