The Dallas Mavericks have no plans to trade star guard Kyrie Irving amid NBA rumors, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported during Thursday’s edition of NBA Today.
Kyrie Irving Recovering From ACL Tear
Irving, 33, is still recovering from the torn left ACL he suffered last season.
Irving underwent surgery on March 26 to repair the torn ligament he sustained during a March 3 game against the Sacramento Kings. The nine-time All-Star is slated to return by January.
In 50 games (all starts) last season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 36.1 minutes per contest with a shooting line of 47.3/40.1/91.6.
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One thing is certain: the Mavs want Irving to be part of their future.
“Teams are actually sniffing around Kyrie Irving: His availability on the court, potentially trade-wise, and his playing status the rest of the season,” Charania said.
“But my understanding is the Mavericks have made it clear privately that they want Kyrie Irving as a complete part of their future moving forward. He’s still in recovery and rehab from that ACL tear from March. He signed a three-year deal in the offseason, but the Mavericks value his leadership on the court, off the court, and his fit with Cooper Flagg.”
Mavericks Fielding Offers For Anthony Davis
Although the Mavs want Irving as a member of their core, star big man Anthony Davis is currently on the trade block. Davis was the centerpiece for Dallas in last season’s Luka Doncic trade.
Minority owner Mark Cuban recently told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon that the team would not be trading Davis, but the 32-year-old has appeared in just 14 of 48 possible regular-season games for the Mavs since that trade deal.
Davis currently remains sidelined because of a left calf strain.
“Cooper Flagg is going to need a point guard whenever he’s ready to be back out on the court, and you just see right now how much this team misses Kyrie Irving some of these close games that they’ve had,” Charania added.
“And that’s the difference, though, between the Kyrie Irving situation the Anthony Davis situation. They are listening to potential trade calls on Anthony Davis, but with Kyrie Irving, they want him a part of their future moving forward.”
During the offseason, Irving agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension after declining his $43 million player option for next season.
The extension gives him an additional $76 million, while it also helps Dallas to get below the second apron. His player option was part of the three-year, $126 million deal he signed in 2023.
According to Basketball Reference, Irving was the only NBA player last season to average at least 20 points on 40% shooting from beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line.
