Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving reacts after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

How a well-known NBA personality helped get Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Keenan Womack | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 7:00 AM ET

One of the biggest moves in Dallas Mavericks history was the trade for Kyrie Irving, which occurred in 2023 after the collapse of the Irving-James Harden-Kevin Durant Brooklyn Nets team that resulted in all three players leaving the franchise.

Harden was traded to Philadelphia a few months before, Durant went to the Phoenix Suns, and Irving went to a Dallas franchise that needed someone to pair with superstar Luka Doncic in the back court.

The trade helped Dallas to reach its first NBA Finals since 2011, and though they lost to the Boston Celtics last summer in five games, the blueprint was in place for a team that could compete for championships going forward.

Though the recipe was changed when GM Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Irving remains a massive part of the future of the organization, and, according to Mark Cuban, Irving would never have landed in Dallas without help from NBA insider Shams Charania.

"Shams is my guy," said Cuban of one of the most well-respected names in basketball media, opening up about the situation on the podcast Mixed Signals. “He was a big help with us getting Kyrie, when we traded for Kyrie, and for us extending him when we extended, because he had a great relationship with Kyrie’s agent."

Kyrie Irving's agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, has a great working relationship with Charania, which helped facilitate both the trade from Brooklyn as well as the recent contract extension signed with Dallas. The contract, which is for three years, $118 million, is a team-friendly deal that gives flexibility to the Mavericks with the second apron, allowing them to build a more competitive team around Irving and Davis.

Kyrie Irving's 2025-26 Outlook

Last season, Irving suffered an ACL tear on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings, forcing him out for the rest of the 2024-25 season and most of the 2025-26 season. He is expected back around late January or early February of 2026, and until then, Dallas will have to figure out a guard rotation without him.

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals on 47% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc last season, leading the team in minutes played until his untimely injury. Beyond his on-court impact, Irving is the heart and soul of the roster, especially in the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade, which rocked the franchise – and its fanbase – to the core.

Still, the organization would be in an undoubtedly worse spot without Irving's leadership and on-court skillset, so if fans are looking for someone to thank, Shams Charania would be one of the first people.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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