Mavericks face unavoidable Kyrie Irving crisis that will shape their season

The Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Draft Lottery and the right to select Duke's Cooper Flagg on May 12 heavily shifted the demeanor of most Mavs fans from heartbroken (from the Luka Doncic trade and everything that came along with it) to extremely excited, but even Flagg coming into the mix next season doesn't save them from their biggest problem this offseason.

Dallas' biggest challenge will undoubtedly be finding a replacement for Kyrie Irving while he recovers from his ACL tear, along with re-signing him to a new deal (assuming he opts out of his player option), and while Irving returning to the Mavericks has seemed like a done deal for months, finding his replacement won't be as easy. The Mavs must navigate both situations carefully, as they must find a good number that is fair for Irving without overpaying him while also strategically looking for depth to play behind him.

The Mavericks' main priority should be adding guard depth this summer, and while it has already been rumored that they are searching for a starting-caliber point guard to take the reins while Irving is out, specifically a solid playmaker and ball handler, they can't just expect the perfect player to take this role to fall into their lap.

Dallas' entire offseason quietly hinges on Irving and his replacement

They must search every inch of free agency, the trade market, and the draft for a player who will replace Irving valiantly until he returns, while also being able to play alongside him once he comes back, and they can't just expect a veteran minimum signing to fix their biggest need.

They may need to cough up some assets to find a player who is the perfect fit, and honestly, fans should be fine with that. Guard depth was a major question mark for Dallas after Irving went down last season, and they have to find someone who creates advantages when the ball is in their hands while being able to create their own shot.

This will not be an easy task, and whoever the Mavericks choose to fulfill this role could quietly play a big part in how Dallas performs until Irving returns. Assuming Irving is out until at least 2026, his replacement will start in his place for a few months before transitioning into a complementary role once he is back in the lineup.

Some guards Dallas has been linked to so far include Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, and Chris Paul, and it is known that the Mavs and Dante Exum have mutual interest in getting a deal done ahead of the season as well. Whoever Dallas chooses is going to have a major role, and Nico Harrison's choice is going to have big implications on the beginning of Flagg's career.

Acing this move could give the Mavericks the juice they need to be a top-six seed over the first few months of the season, even without Irving, and Irving's replacement will have all of the tools he needs to succeed on day one. Getting to start next to Klay Thompson, Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II is all a guard could ask for, as they would have elite paint defense down low, multiple lob threats, and one of the greatest shooters of all time, and the Mavericks' spectacular situation could help draw in some elite talent.