Burning Kyrie Irving question could determine his Mavericks fate

With Jason Kidd out of the picture, the next-most logical thought most Dallas Mavericks fans had was, “Who else?” Former Mavericks GM Matt Riccardi soon followed with his dismissal, though that almost felt inevitable once Mike Schmitz arrived to assume front office duties.

Naturally, that then shifts attention toward former All-Star and 34-year-old point guard Kyrie Irving, and one burning question: Does he still see Dallas as the place he wants to be long-term? While Masai Ujiri has publicly stated he’d prefer Irving to stay, the decision ultimately rests with Irving himself.

Kyrie Irving’s future in Dallas comes into question

First and foremost, as one of Dallas’ most veteran players, there was always going to be the question of whether Irving would remain in Dallas or eventually be moved elsewhere.

Turning 35 next season, there's not a clearly defined long-term role for Irving in the Mavericks’ plans. Of course, it’s presumed he’d remain with the Mavericks through his current contract, which runs through 2028, but beyond that, Irving may land with another contender with championship aspirations during the twilight of his career.

Of course, that contender could still be Dallas as soon as next season with ascending superstar Cooper Flagg in tow. But after winning just 26 games this past season, fielding a roster in disarray, and undergoing sweeping organizational changes, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to view the Mavericks as legitimate championship contenders anytime soon, especially in the vaunted Western Conference.

Mavericks’ struggles and roster uncertainty cloud Irving’s timeline

Thus, all of that led many Mavericks fans to wonder whether Irving might be a better fit elsewhere as an immediate contributor. Moreover, considering his close relationship with now former head coach Kidd, it only added to the growing belief that Irving could be as good as gone. Ultimately, though, the decision comes down to Irving himself.

He’s reached the point in his career where he has that level of autonomy. Irving has previously requested trades twice in his career. First with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, then again with the Brooklyn Nets in 2023.

This situation would be far different from the previous two if it were to occur. Irving has maintained a strong relationship with Dallas, even through the turmoil that engulfed the organization over the last year-plus. Thus, if a departure were to happen, it would likely be an amicable split.

Does Irving want to stay or chase another contender?

In the end, that’s what leaves the decision up to Irving. Dallas would likely have no issue trading the nine-time All-Star, both in an effort to help him land in a favorable situation and to give the franchise a clean slate moving forward. It’s a win-win scenario. Several teams around the league could use Irving’s services far more than Dallas.

As for Irving, remaining in Dallas wouldn’t be the worst outcome. He’d get the opportunity to suit up alongside Flagg, the Mavericks’ No. 9 overall pick, as well as a bevy of solid role players, including Dereck Lively II, who appeared in just seven games a season ago. Even though Dallas is in the midst of a pseudo-rebuild, not all hope is lost for this team to earn a playoff bid.

Ultimately, that’s the burning question hanging over everything: what does Irving want at this stage of his career? The Mavericks can present the pieces, the fit, and even a path forward with a younger core, but none of it carries weight without Irving’s buy-in. Whether he views Dallas as a long-term landing spot or simply a stop along the way to another contender will shape not only his future but the direction of the franchise itself. For now, that decision remains entirely in his hands.

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