Mavericks' season-long kryptonite is begging for this bold move to save the season

The Dallas Mavericks' backcourt has been their biggest weakness all season long, and Kyrie Irving's return to the floor is the simplest fix to this longstanding issue.

Irving has been out for the entire season after tearing his ACL in March of last year, but his return is on the horizon. He is expected to be cleared to play at some point after the All-Star break, but the Mavericks are unsure if they'll bring him back. Irving's return to the hardwood will all depend on where Dallas is in the standings. If they decide that they want to push for the playoffs, activating Irving and allowing him to play is a no-brainer.

He has been excellent ever since the Mavericks traded for him in the winter of 2023, and Mavs fans have fallen in love with him over the last three years. Without him, Dallas wouldn't have made a run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and he cemented himself as a Mavericks legend by leading them to the top of the Western Conference alongside Luka Doncic.

Dallas' point guard problem only has one real solution

He has turned his entire image around in Dallas, and he has the opportunity to do something special this season if the Mavericks decide to bring him back. This will likely depend on what they do with Anthony Davis as well, as his injury and trade statuses are extremely uncertain heading into the trade deadline, but there is definitely still hope that Irving plays before the season concludes.

Davis avoided surgery after injuring his left hand last week, and he could return in March. With that being said, if the Mavericks don't trade Davis, and they're somehow still in the playoff hunt, they could explore bringing back both Davis and Irving to finally unleash their new star duo.

This seems unlikely based on how the rest of the season has gone when Davis is out of the lineup, but Patrick Dumont would like to see Davis and Irving play alongside Cooper Flagg. This could lead the Mavericks to bring back Irving for the final month of the season, and it would finally give them a sense of stability in the backcourt.

All season long, the Mavericks' point guard rotation has been one of their biggest question marks. They have started Flagg, Ryan Nembhard, Brandon Williams, and even D'Angelo Russell at this position, and none of these players have given them the consistency that they need.

Nembhard's passing is elite, and Williams' speed and finishing are next level, but the Mavericks need a star at that position. Dallas discovered the recipe for postseason success is having two all-world creators in the starting lineup (Irving and Doncic in 2023-24), and the Mavs' offense hasn't looked the same without Irving on the floor.

Their spacing has mostly been awful, and their shooters haven't been able to cash in on enough open looks either. They are the No. 27 team in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 34.0, and while Irving alone wouldn't turn them into one of the best shooting teams in the NBA, the bump would at least be noticeable.

The Mavericks, especially their offense, will have a night-and-day difference once Irving is back, and the reasons are obvious.

Dallas needs a seasoned maestro to lead their offense, and the only player on the roster who can live up to such large expectations is Irving. While Williams and Nembhard have each had their flashes, neither player has the chops to lead the Mavericks as currently constructed.

They need an All-Star shot creator who doesn't shy away from the moment, has experience in the clutch, and is a natural-born leader. Dallas hasn't had any sense of direction for most of the season, even when Davis was healthy, and Irving's insertion back into the fold will give them a captain who can right the ship even when the water gets choppy.

The Mavs still have a long way to go if they want to shock the world and dramatically turn their season around, and Kyrie Irving's potential return could end up being more impactful than anyone realizes.