Mavericks' Kyrie Irving trade dilemma already has a painful answer

Kyrie Irving is still recovering from his ACL tear from March, but is eager to get back on the court for the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Mavericks will be in a tough position for Irving to bring them to a playoff spot. If the Mavericks want to trade their elite point guard, there's one team that may be the best fit for Irving and the Mavericks to trade him to. That is the Detroit Pistons, one of the new juggernauts of the Eastern Conference.

The Mavericks and Pistons were already projected to make a blockbuster trade around Anthony Davis after Nico Harrison's firing. However, trading Irving rather than Davis to the Pistons may prove to be the perfect fit for Irving and both teams.

Not many would've predicted that the Pistons would be atop the Eastern Conference while the Mavericks are near the bottom of the Western Conference this season. The Pistons have built their roster around Cade Cunningham, who was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Mavericks will build their franchise around this year's first overall pick, Cooper Flagg. With Dallas rebuilding with Flagg, that makes sense to move Irving for as much value as possible, and that's where Irving can be the perfect player for Detroit to trade for.

Detroit may be Kyrie Irving's most dangerous trade destination

Irving would have the same role on the Pistons as he did in Dallas: mentor a young player. Irving did that with Luka Doncic. Irving and Doncic turned into one of the best NBA duos during their time together. Along with being a top duo, Irving was able to help mentor Doncic and help him mature. That is where Irving can do that with Cunningham, being 24 years old. Cunningham would get the ability to play with a dynamic superstar who has won at the highest level, which he hasn't quite done in Detroit.

Irving would easily be the best player that Cunningham has ever played with in the NBA, and it would give the Pistons a true No. 2 star. Having a No. 2 true star player is essential when pushing for a title.

Age also factors in with Irving. At 33 years old, Irving isn't really a franchise player to build around anymore, especially while recovering from an ACL tear. At his age, Irving's stardom status may be uncertain, given his age and knee status. Considering Irving's high contract (around $40 million annually), trading away a player at his age would free up cap space for the Mavericks as well. Dallas could be fearing that Irving won't be the same player after his ACL tear in March.

Even with his ACL tear being a concern for some teams, Irving's play is still remarkable. Irving's value is rightfully being worthy of at least one first-round pick, or maybe a second first-round pick. Detroit could trade away some young players for Irving, along with a first-round draft pick or two and matching salary. However, the first-round draft picks will be key to the trade. Dallas could get a few young players in return, such as Ron Holland or Jaden Ivey, but the first-round draft picks should still be the main focus.

The fact that Dallas doesn't have a first-round pick in 2027 is concerning. The Oklahoma City Thunder have the right to swap first-round draft picks with the Mavericks in 2028, which can be dangerous. Detroit has each of its first-round draft picks in both years.

If Dallas remains at the bottom of the NBA in either year, at least one first-round draft pick will be critical to get from Detroit in 2027 or 2028, but particularly in 2027. With Detroit looking like a top team for years with its current record, first-round draft picks may not be that top of a priority, and trading for a superstar to build a stronger team may cost a first-round draft pick or two, which Detroit may be willing to do for a player like Irving.

Even though Detroit couldn't trade their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks in the same trade, pushing for at least one of these picks will be crucial for Dallas.

Dallas, being at the bottom of the NBA this season, could impact the team's decision-making around Irving and his future. It doesn't seem like they want to move him right now, but as Mavericks fans know better than anyone, things change quickly in today's NBA.

Flagg will be a franchise player to build around for the future, but Irving may be better off going elsewhere to push for his second ring rather than leading a rebuild in Dallas. For a team like Detroit, they offer him a team that can compete for championships now and has solid value to send Dallas for a potential trade.

First-round draft capital, Ron Holland, Jaden Ivey, and matching salary (someone like Tobias Harris) would be adequate value for the Mavericks to push for, and even though trading Kyrie Irving would be heartbreaking, it could be what both teams need.