Could Dallas Help Facilitate a Kyrie Irving Trade?

Kyrie Irving shocked the world with his desire to play elsewhere, but could the Dallas Mavericks get involved with a possible trade?

In what seemed like a normal Friday in the NBA summer, Brian Windhorst of ESPN dropped his own bombshell surrounding the news of a certain Cavalier not named LeBron James.

Kyrie Irving is ready for his own team.

Every fan base around the league raced to their computer screens as ESPN’s Trade Machine had to encounter some type of overload. The challenge was on as just about every team in the league would love the chance to get their hands on the 25-year-old Irving.

With the trade request being so fresh, it’s unsure at the moment of what Cleveland would want in return for the star point guard.

If they feel like LeBron James is staying long-term, do they go with a package that helps them immediately get back to the Finals? Could they incorporate Carmelo Anthony in such a deal?

If they feel like LeBron James is not staying long-term, do they go for a package centered more around multiple first round draft picks and young players with potential?

With both routes in mind, could the Dallas Mavericks get involved in any such way?

First, I don’t believe Dallas pursues the direct trade option personally. Not because they wouldn’t have a certain package that could be appealing for Irving, but rather they might think the better long-term plan is to stay put with their re-tooling.

So will Dallas try to pursue a trade for Kyrie themselves? I don’t believe so. But could they try to get involved as a third team in a trade? Absolutely.

Here is a look at the Mavericks’ trade assets.

Seth Curry – 26-year-old combo guard making roughly $3 million this season as he hits unrestricted free agency next summer.

Wesley Matthews – 30-year-old wing that can play either the two or three. Due roughly $17.8 million this season with a player option for next season at $18.6 million. Stats have decreased over the past two years, but is one of the best wing defenders in the league.

Harrison Barnes – 25-year-old forward who had a career year last year. Due over $70 million over the next three years.

Dennis Smith Jr. – Recently drafted 9th overall pick, but looks to have the potential of being the Rookie of the Year. Could potentially be the next face of the franchise. Couldn’t be traded until a full 30 days after the draft.

Draft Picks – The Dallas Mavericks own all of their first round picks going forward and could attach any of them to potential deals. For a team that is rebuilding, these picks could be valued highly across the league.

Others – Dwight Powell, J.J. Barea, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh McRoberts and others could be added to any type of deals as they each hold their own different types of value.

Without getting Kyrie Irving back, it’s hard to believe Dallas giving up anything of the highest value of the future. This would eliminate Dennis Smith Jr. and future first rounders from any potential deal with Dallas as the third team.

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Personally, I would go ahead an eliminate Harrison Barnes from the equation also. Barnes is considered one of the faces of the organization going forward and I don’t see a player in a three team deal that Cleveland wouldn’t want that Dallas would give up Barnes for.

This leaves us with Curry, Matthews and the rest of the crew.

What if Cleveland engages in trade talks with a team offering a non-point guard in return? Would Seth Curry be a cheap point guard option to replace Irving in Cleveland with Dallas getting a solid asset back from a third team?

What if Cleveland engages in trade talks getting a point guard back in return while shedding one or two of their other bigger contracts in Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, and or Iman Shumpert? Could Wesley Matthews thrive in their system as an elite wing defender and three-point shooter?

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I don’t expect Dallas to get involved directly in the Kyrie Irving trade talks, but they do have some pieces that could allow them to get involved in a multi-team trade.