Trade buzz swirls around Kyrie Irving, but a potential star pairing with Cooper Flagg remains untested. Should Dallas break up the band before they even play?
The idea of the Dallas Mavericks trading Kyrie Irving was circulating at the deadline, which would mean the team is entirely moving on from their past.
While hypothetical trades are nothing new in the NBA landscape, this particular suggestion feels especially premature given one key detail: Irving and Cooper Flagg have yet to share the floor together.
That alone should give the Mavericks pause.
In a recent piece by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, he put together some trade packages that he thinks should happen this offseason. And in one of them, he has the Mavericks moving on from Irving in a three-team deal.
They would send Kyrie to the Minnesota Timberwolves to team up with Anthony Edwards, and Dallas would receive Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanović, Joan Beringer, and a 2029 first-rounder from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Irving, when healthy, remains one of the most dynamic offensive guards in basketball. His ability to create his own shot, control tempo, and deliver in clutch moments is still elite. Yes, there are valid concerns surrounding his ACL injury, but writing off his fit in Dallas before seeing him alongside the team’s newest cornerstone would be a rushed decision.
Flagg brings a completely different dimension to the Mavericks’ future. His defensive versatility, playmaking instincts, and overall feel for the game project him as the kind of player who can elevate those around him. Pairing that skill set with a proven shot creator like Irving has the potential to create a balanced and dangerous offensive dynamic—one that Dallas simply hasn’t had the opportunity to explore yet.
That’s what makes the trade speculation feel more theoretical than practical. On paper, moving Irving could bring back assets, but it would also deny these two impeccable talents the chance of showing what they can do together.
There’s also a broader message at play. Trading a star before he even gets the opportunity to contribute alongside a top prospect can signal instability. Dallas doesn’t need to rush into another major shakeup without first gathering real evidence on the court.
If things don’t work out, the option to explore trades will still be there. Irving’s talent won’t suddenly lose all value overnight. But if the Mavericks move on too soon, they risk missing out on a pairing that could exceed expectations.
For now, patience feels like the smarter play. Let Irving and Flagg take the court together.