ESPN drops heartbreaking Mavericks trade that would shatter the fanbase

Trade season is fully underway in the NBA, and Tim Bontemps of ESPN recently suggested that the Detroit Pistons make a trade that would shatter the heart of every Dallas Mavericks fan. Bontemps thinks that the Pistons should target Kyrie Irving ahead of the trade deadline, and Mavs fans wouldn't be able to handle this after Luka Doncic was ripped away from them just under a year ago.

"The guy they need is Kyrie Irving," Bontemps said. "That’s the call I’d be making...Kyrie Irving, the realized version of Kyrie Irving, playing next to Cade (Cunningham) like he played next to Luka (Doncic), like he played next to LeBron, as a proven playoff scorer. That’s who they need."

Bontemps prefaced that he doesn't know how the Pistons would be able to pull this off, but he is the exact player that they need as they try to win their first title since 2004. Cade Cunningham needs an world-class creator next to him to be at his best, just like Luka Doncic did, and playing with Irving would change everything for him.

ESPN thinks Kyrie Irving would change everything for Detroit

We saw the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals in Irving and Doncic's first full season playing together, and the Pistons acquiring Irving this season or in the offseason could lead to similar results. He would immediately become the best player that Cunningham has ever played with, and they'd separate themselves even further from the rest of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons obviously have a great roster, as they're 35-12 on the season and 5.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the East, but Cunningham needs help in the backcourt. Jalen Duren is a great second option, but the Pistons have to go get another player who can create their own shot and take the pressure off Cunningham in big moments.

Irving is built for this type of role as an off-ball combo guard supporting a superstar, and ESPN hit the nail on the head when speculating about who the Pistons should target. They'd have to give up significant assets to bring him in, including draft capital and matching salary, but this is the type of move that could help lead them to the promised land.

This would all come down to the Mavericks being ready to give up on Irving, though, and fans would be crushed if they even considered such a move. He has been the heart and soul of the team ever since Doncic was traded last February, and fans have been excited to see him play with Cooper Flagg ever since they drafted him last summer.

Irving has become a Mavericks legend in just under three years with the team, and Mavs fans wouldn't be able to stomach seeing two franchise players being traded in back to back seasons.

Luckily for fans, though, the Mavs have made Irving untouchable in trade talks along with Flagg. They believe that Irving will play a key role in their future with Flagg, and they have no interest in moving on from him anytime soon.

Unless something changes in the six days, Irving will remain in Dallas and far away from the Detroit Pistons. ESPN's proposal about the Pistons pursuing Irving was more about his great potential fit there rather than the Mavs' possible willingness to trade him, and Mavericks fans have nothing to worry about.

All signs are pointing to Dallas keeping Irving for the foreseeable future as one of the leaders of the squad alongside Flagg. Irving's impact on the Mavericks organization and the city of Dallas stretches far beyond the hardwood, and he'll continue to be a leader on and off the floor for the rest of this season and beyond.