Mavericks' trade deadline blunder is putting Kyrie Irving in a brutal spot

The Dallas Mavericks' trade deadline action started earlier than usual this season, as Dallas pulled off the most stunning move in NBA history on February 1 when they sent Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Max Chrisite and Anthony Davis. No one expected that Dallas would explore trading Doncic, and now the Mavs have entered a new era with Kyrie Irving and Davis at the center.

Their start to this new phase of Mavericks basketball started strong, as Davis couldn't be stopped in his debut, but it ended prematurely as he went down with an adductor injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Davis and Irving looked like they were going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference by the way they destroyed the Houston Rockets, but now the team looks much different.

Irving is the only healthy shot creator on the team who plays consistent minutes along with Spencer Dinwiddie, and the Mavericks not addressing this need at the trade deadline is quietly hurting them. Quentin Grimes was a strong option to play this role, as he showcased he was much more than a 3-and-D wing all season long, but the Mavericks traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal for Caleb Martin.

Mavs not adding another shot creator is putting major weight on Irving

With Grimes and Doncic gone, Dallas is in a much different spot when it comes to guard creation, and this puts an immovable weight onto Irving's shoulders that he has to deal with every single night. He has played in over 40 minutes per game every single game this month, and while he got to rest in Thursday night's game against the Heat, he has still been asked a lot from Jason Kidd over the last few games.

Kidd made it clear that he was a bit "concerned" with having to play Irving this much, but it's something that he has to do with all of the injuries that continue to flood in. Kidd said that he has never seen this many injuries hit one team over all his years as a coach and player, and the Mavericks have been dealt some of the toughest cards we've ever seen from an injury luck perspective.

Their decision to not add another shot creator at the trade deadline is being amplified by all of the injuries, and the Mavs are going to have to continue to lean on Irving to be their offensive engine. In Davis' first game with Dallas, he looked like he was more than capable of being Dallas' No. 1 option, but until he returns, that is going to be Irving's job.

Pursuing a trade for one more shot creator would have decreased Irving's workload, which would also decrease the chances of him getting injured, but he ensured the media that he is more than willing to play these big minutes right now. Irving also made it clear that his back injury is no longer an issue, and as long as Kidd needs him to play big minutes, he is going to do it.

While Dallas does have an open roster spot since they traded away four players while only bringing back three, they can't sign a player to fill that spot until later in the season due to complications with the CBA. They could consider cutting one of their two-way players and bringing in another player who better fits their needs, which Kidd hinted at, but that seems like their only option right now.