Dallas’ new general manager, Mike Schmitz, has said he envisions pairing a fully-healthy Irving with reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, but things can of course change on a dime as the offseason progresses. NBA Insider Marc Stein reports that the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in trading for the nine-time All-Star.
While Dallas is messaging to other teams that Irving is not available, per Stein, the Mavericks have shown they are exploring multiple ways to build a contender around Flagg. Irving could net future draft picks (the Mavs do not fully control their first-round pick until 2031 after this year) or multiple NBA players the new brass feels strongly about if dealt. He hasn’t played since the 2024-25 season, missing all of last year while recovering from a torn ACL, but his pedigree appears to be coveted by playoff-caliber teams around the league.
Irving was an impact player for the Mavericks during the 2024-25 campaign prior to his injury, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He shot 47.3 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from beyond the arc.