Mavericks' rumored Kyrie Irving replacement search finally lands intriguing name

The Dallas Mavericks' last four months have been filled with adversity that no one could have ever predicted, considering they made the 2024 NBA Finals and looked like they were going to be Western Conference contenders again last season.

It all started when the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis at the beginning of February, but things got even worse for Dallas when Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March. This destroyed the Mavs' chances of contending for a title last season, even with Anthony Davis getting healthy near the end of the season, and their immediate focus this summer has turned to finding an Irving replacement until he returns next season.

Dallas wants to find a starting-caliber point guard who excels as a playmaker and ball handler, and the first name of who they could sign in free agency to address this issue was officially added to the list on Memorial Day.

Mavericks officially enter Chris Paul free agency sweepstakes

12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA point guard Chris Paul.

Paul most recently played for the San Antonio Spurs where he averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field last season, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Paul is a "name to monitor for Dallas," (subscription required) saying that "anticipation is building that Paul could be on the move again this offseason."

There had been no official rumors when it comes to the Mavs' search for an Irving replacement in free agency, and the Paul rumbles are a breath of fresh air for fans who have been pushing the team to pursue him over the last few weeks.

Paul seems like he would be the perfect fit to replace Irving until he comes back from his ACL injury, and his experience, expertise in the pick and roll, passing, and shooting make him an intriguing option for Dallas. Their offense is highly based upon the pick and roll, and if Dallas brought in Paul, they could help Dereck Lively II get back on track as the elite lob threat fans know him to be.

Lively II's production took a step back after the Doncic trade, and while he was injured for most of the final stretch, the Mavericks definitely need to sign a pick-and-roll maestro to propel him into being a fortified piece of Dallas's foundation moving forward. Paul helped Victor Wembanyama take the next step in his career, and he could help Lively II do the same.

By signing Paul, the Mavericks would be adding someone who could lead the offense on day one, and once Irving returns, he could lead the second unit and provide valuable minutes off the bench. Not to mention, this could be one of Paul's final chances to win a ring, as he is entering his 21st season in the NBA.

Dallas would likely only be able to offer Paul a veteran minimum contract, but the chance to compete for an NBA title is priceless, and it could be just enough to get him to sign with the Mavericks as one of the final homes of his playing career. A core of Davis, Irving, Paul, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, and Lively II would be dominant, and having another floor general outside of Irving would make things much easier on him.

Paul has thrived in every role that has ever been assigned to him, and adding a former All-NBA point guard for a veteran minimum deal should be an opportunity that Nico Harrison can't pass up. Signing Paul and adding more guard depth elsewhere could be the perfect recipe for an A+ offseason, and whoever Harrison chooses to replace Irving could end up being the ultimate X-factor for the season.