The Dallas Mavericks should be all-in on youth as they build around Cooper Flagg, but a recent mock trade would see their prized veteran be shipped out.
After falling to the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks are not guaranteed an elite young player this summer. That late in the lottery, elite players like DeMar DeRozan and Kemba Walker have been selected, but so have players like Jeremy Sochan, Kevin Knox, and Trey Burke. Not exactly franchise centerpieces!
Luckily, the Mavericks already have Cooper Flag. Surrounding him with as much young talent as possible should be priority number one in Dallas, and players like Klay Thompson, Dasniel Gafford, and even Kyrie Irving could be shipped out in favor of young players or draft capital.
Trading Irvin doesn't seem to be a given, as the Mavs do want to see what he and Flagg look like on the court. However, one mock trade presents the Mavericks with an offer they can't refuse.
Mock Trade Sends Two Picks to Mavs
Irving is one of the best point guards of all time, but as the Mavericks rebuild, there is reason to suspect he would prefer to play on a contender. Plus, he's coming off a torn ACL, so his career might be on the decline.
In an ideal world, the Mavericks would get to see how he pairs with Flagg before making a final decision. With the draft looming, though, now might be the time to pull the trigger.
Sports Illustrated's Jackson Caudell devised a trade, sending Irving to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Zaccharie Risacher, Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick.
The 2026 pick will come from the Cleveland Cavaliers via the Hawks, falling to 23rd overall. The 2027 pick is the least favorable of the Milwaukee Bucks or the New Orleans Pelicans, so either way, the Mavericks should find themselves in the '27 lottery.
The Hawks put up a fight against the Knicks in the playoffs, and with Irving playing point, they should emerge as one of the better teams in the East. The Mavericks, meanwhile, take a flier on Risacher, one of the worst first overall picks in recent memory, and add Kispert and Hield mostly to balance salary, although they could replace Thompson if he got moved in a follow-up deal.
The real prize in this trade is the two picks. It seems unlikely that a player of Irving's age and with his injury history would fetch such a price, but if the Mavs get a similar offer, they shouldn't think twice before pulling the trigger, even if it means another disappointing season next year.
The long-term payoff would be worth it.