The Dallas Mavericks are now 0-7 in games that Luka Doncic doesn’t play this NBA season following their 119-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Following Jalen Brunson’s departure, they are in significant need of acquiring a co-star. It’s no surprise they are in the mix to acquire All-Star starter Kyrie Irving ahead of the February 9th trade deadline.
The Brooklyn Nets rallied back from being down 23 points in their 125-123 win against the Washington Wizards, with Cam Thomas scoring a career-high 44 points. Irving was ruled out before the game due to right calf pain. He has emerged as the central focus of the latest NBA trade rumors.
Irving was not on the initial injury report Friday. Still, as rumors surrounding his future in Brooklyn grow before next week’s trade deadline, Irving will miss his third game of the season due to injury, excluding the eight games he was sidelined for in November due to suspension. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this season.
Irving is currently in the final year of a deal that pays him $36.5 million. He has been seeking an extension that could max out at $198.5 million for four years until June 30. Irving can sign a two-year, $78.6 million extension with his new team until June 30 if he is traded.
On Friday, ESPN reported that the Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns have already expressed interest in trade discussions involving Irving. There is no list of teams Irving prefers, but his market is small, and it’s clear he hopes to be acquired by a team to sign a long-term extension. On Saturday, the LA Clippers emerged as being linked.
In a wide-open Western Conference, the Mavs have a real chance to compete for a remarkable playoff run once again if they paired Doncic with another superstar. Irving would be a step up from the co-star they had in their last run. Perhaps they could get creative with their supporting cast moves after buying low on Irving to shock the NBA. Let’s look at this trade that sends Irving to the Mavericks.
NBA Analysis Network Trade Package
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie, F Dorian Finney-Smith
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Kyrie Irving
In theory, any team needing a ball-handler would be happy to acquire Irving – in theory, at least. There is no doubt that he is one of the best ball handlers of all time. As a result of his volatile personality, he is also one of the most explosive players the league has ever seen. Would it be wise for the Mavericks to take a chance on him?
As a matter of fact, the Mavericks did this deal because, frankly, there will never be another opportunity for them to acquire a player as talented as Irving at this price point. Seriously. Never. There is no doubt that Irving is one of the top 10 most talented players in the NBA. In the trade market, he should be able to fetch a much higher price than this.
His inability to do so is due to his volatility, which makes it unlikely that he would. Irving is a risky investment. He is one of the players the Mavericks should consider. They would benefit from having a ball handler alongside Luka Doncic. Irving is one of the best in NBA history. As a team, they would make one of the most dynamic offensive duos in the league if they were to work together. Should the Nets help them assemble it?
The real risk lies in the restriction the acquiring team faces in being able to not only offer Irving the contract he wants but also feel good about actually offering it. It’s a lot of money to commit close to $200 million over four years to him. It’s even riskier that it can only be offered during the summer since he’s only eligible to be offered a two-year deal. The team would need to trust that Irving’s word will hold up after free agency opens. So, offering picks should probably be off the table for Dallas.
There is no doubt that this is a loss for the Nets. I don’t think there’s any way around it. It is also impossible for them to win a deal with Irving as well. There is no team that is going to be able to offer Irving’s talent level a fair price if we’re just focusing on the talent level. Throughout the years, he has proven to be too unreliable to forfeit those type of assets for a team to do so.
In light of all of that, I can say that this is…something. The Nets are getting a pair of good players back here. Dinwiddie is a guard that Brooklyn would need to stay competitive after moving Irving, while Finney-Smith is a starting caliber 3-and-D wing. Is it enough to keep Durant in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future? Who knows. It may be their best chance, though.
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