Zach Lowe reveals Kyrie Irving’s surprising trade potential as the Mavericks navigate a crucial offseason and focus on their future cornerstone.
The Dallas Mavericks will enter the upcoming offseason at a defining organizational juncture, with the franchise having Cooper Flagg as its long-term cornerstone. Kyrie Irving's role will be an element to monitor.
On a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, analyst Zach Lowe referred to Irving as a “pretty interesting trade candidate” as teams begin assessing offseason pathways.
Irving will turn 34 on March 23. He is under contract for $39.5 million next season and holds a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Irving has not appeared in a game during the 2025-26 season following ACL surgery performed in March. The Mavericks formally ruled him out for the remainder of the season, citing a long-term recovery approach centered on full rehabilitation.
His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, addressed the decision publicly.
“This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season,” Riley Irving told ESPN.
Irving has remained engaged with the organization throughout his recovery process, continuing work with team medical and performance personnel while maintaining a leadership presence within the locker room environment.
The Mavericks are expected to hire a new general manager this offseason. That appointment will serve as a critical inflection point for defining the franchise’s competitive direction. As it stands, the team's basketball operations department views Irving's fit with Flagg as complementary.
As it stands, the organization must establish a clear identity. Whether Dallas elects to accelerate around Flagg or prioritize long-term asset positioning will be determined by the potentially new front office after establishing a direction.
Across 14 NBA seasons, Irving has averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range. During his tenure in Dallas, he has averaged 25.5 points per game while maintaining a shooting clip of greater than 40% from beyond the arc.
With the Mavericks facing a deepening deficit in the standings at 19-36, including a 10-game losing streak that has significantly diminished even play-in viability, the organizational lens has naturally shifted toward the future.
Dallas retains full control of its 2026 first-round pick. However, following this year’s draft, the Mavericks lack full control of their first-round picks through 2031. As a result, Irving’s impact becomes strategically relevant beyond his individual production. As one of the league’s most dynamic all-around offensive players and closers, his presence would materially alter outcomes. Even incremental improvements in the win column could meaningfully affect lottery positioning.
As the franchise ultimately transitions into a new executive structure, defining a clear competitive direction will be essential. Irving’s role will be a key component of that strategic assessment.