Kyrie Irving’s future in Dallas keeps hanging over the Mavericks, and the latest chatter has him landing in a trade idea that would send Jalen Suggs and draft capital back to the Mavericks from the Orlando Magic.
Irving, an NBA champion, has been the subject of trade speculation all summer, and the fit between his timeline and Cooper Flagg’s simply doesn’t line up cleanly. New management in Dallas only adds another layer to the situation. Still, Irving has been vocal about wanting to do whatever it takes to win.
“I’m not gonna shy away from saying it’s been a little chaotic at times, inside the locker room as well as outside…I’m in love with this place just because of how welcoming it was, not just from the franchise aspect but also the fans, lot of support around the city…We’re building something…Having that championship mindset that whatever we face we can deal with,” Irving said.
NBA insider Marc Spears said that if Irving eventually asks out, the Mavericks would likely help make it happen.
“Masai also has a really good relationship as you mentioned with Kyrie Irving. I think it's the kind of relationship where if Kyrie says, hey, Masai, like, this isn't for me, I think they could work together to get something done.
I don't think would be something ugly. I think there would be interest in Kyrie if he's as healthy as he looks,” Spears said.
From there, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz floated a deal with Orlando that would send Suggs and picks, or other pieces, to Dallas in exchange for Irving. Swartz pointed to the Magic’s offense as part of the logic, noting that even after adding Desmond Bane last season to a core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Suggs, Orlando still ranked 18th in offense in the regular season and finished last among the 16 playoff teams.
That’s why, in Swartz’s view, the framework “makes too much sense for both teams.”
For Orlando, the move would come with obvious risk. There’s no guarantee Irving would actually sign with the Magic in free agency. At the same time, it would also clear out Suggs’ sizable contract.
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For Orlando, the broader takeaway was less about the final score and more about the shape of the offense when the usual guard options are missing. Wagners role was clearly central, but the game also offered extended run for lesser-used pieces who had to absorb real minutes in a competitive setting. How much of that distribution sticks once the roster gets closer to full strength is the part worth watching next, because the preseason can quickly reveal which lineup combinations are sustainable and which ones are only temporary fixes. [Read more 🡒]
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Sean Sweeneys first game on the Orlando sideline gave fans an early look at how different this preseason can feel, and the 122-118 win over Memphis had plenty of small details worth tracking. Jase Richardson got the start because Jalen Suggs was ill, Paolo Banchero was already up to 11 points by halftime, and Tristan da Silva brought scoring punch off the bench as the Magic leaned on a mix of established talent and new possibilities.
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Zach Edey Reaches A Big Grizzlies Checkpoint After Long Absence
Zach Edey is set to rejoin the Memphis Grizzlies for their upcoming preseason game against the Orlando Magic, a notable step after he missed time following two left ankle procedures. For the Grizzlies, getting the center back on the floor even in a preseason setting offers another chance to gauge where he stands physically and how quickly he can fit back into the rotation work the team wants to sort out before the games start to count.
Orlando will be dealing with a different kind of preseason challenge, with several players sidelined because of illness, injury or personal reasons. The matchup also comes as Memphis continues to use the exhibition slate to build rhythm, and point guard Ty Jerome said preseason is a chance for the team to evaluate performance and keep sharpening details, even if the results themselves are not the main point yet. [Read more 🡒]