Keep Kyrie Irving with Mavs? Feeling Is Mutual, Exec Reveals

DALLAS - A Dallas Mavericks front office executive said neither the team nor Kyrie Irving is pursuing a trade, according to a Western Conference Summer League notebook published Friday by Keith Smith of Spotrac.

The executive, speaking to Smith in Las Vegas on the condition of anonymity, said Irving keeps turning up in rumors but that "we're not looking to move Kyrie and Kyrie isn't looking to be moved." The executive said the front office did not get to see Irving alongside Cooper Flagg last year and is looking forward to the pairing this season.

Smith built the notebook over 11 days in Las Vegas, talking to at least one executive from every team as well as coaches, scouts, and agents. Everyone quoted was granted anonymity.

Irving has not played since March 3, 2025. He tore the ACL in his left knee nine minutes into a 122-98 home loss to Sacramento and was helped off the floor by Naji Marshall and a member of the team's staff. Reconstruction surgery followed on March 26.

The Mavericks announced on Feb. 18 that Irving would not return at any point in 2025-26. It was the first season he had missed in full across 15 years in the league. Jason Kidd had told reporters on Jan. 22 that a return would probably come after the All-Star break.

In the 2024-25 season, Irving played 50 games, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 36.1 minutes per game. He shot 40.1% from 3-point range. His scoring ranked 13th in the league when he went down.

Flagg was drafted first overall in June 2025, three months after Irving's last game, and the two have shared a roster for a full season without sharing a floor.

Flagg handled much of the on-ball load as a rookie, averaging 4.5 assists along with 21.0 points and 6.7 rebounds. He often played both guard positions, focusing on his long-term development by shouldering responsibility to initiate offense. Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams shared most of the remaining backcourt minutes. Nembhard was traded to Atlanta on July 19 as part of the deal that acquired Zaccharie Risacher from Dallas. Williams remains unsigned.

Marcus Sasser, acquired from Detroit this month, and Max Christie are the guards under contract behind Irving.

Irving turned 34 in March. He was the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, won Rookie of the Year with Cleveland, and has been named an All-Star nine times.

Last summer, Irving declined a player option worth $42.9 million to sign a three-year, $118.5 million contract on July 6, 2025. He will earn $39.5 million for the 2026-27 season and faces a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28. A 15% trade bonus is attached to the contract.

The Houston Rockets are the opponent when Dallas opens the preseason in China. It will be the first possible opportunity to see Irving and Flagg share the court.