Kyrie Irving's Mavericks future could hinge on one thing

Kyrie Irving is a Dallas Maverick… for now. And he might be for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, the trade rumors surrounding the 34-year-old point guard aren't going to go away anytime soon. And for what it's worth, ESPN's Tim McMahon only added fuel to the fire by suggesting that Irving could be dealt by the trade deadline if Dallas' record is bad once again.

In an episode of the Hoop Collective, alongside Brian Windhorst, McMahon said, "I'm fascinated just to see… I'm open-minded to, midseason, Kyrie Irving coming to the Mavericks and saying, 'Hey, I would like to go somewhere where I have a chance to contend right now and here's my list of teams.' And I think that might be in the best interest of everybody."

Mavericks' uncertain future could spark more Kyrie Irving trade rumors

McMahon chalked it up to Dallas building around the 19-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg, and the 34-year-old Irving not really having a place in the Mavericks' plans. Which, of course, is almost an elephant in the room, even if Dallas won't admit it, especially considering how much the Mavericks still need Irving in tow.

Yet, all in all, if the Mavericks once again boast a porous record come the trade deadline, there's a very strong chance the franchise does test the waters. Or vice versa, meaning Irving could, as McMahon suggested, come to the Mavs and profess his wish for a trade.

It's not an unlikely scenario considering both the Mavericks' current state and Irving's age.

Irving's timeline doesn't necessarily match Dallas'

Dallas was 21-36 at last year's trade deadline, ranking 12th in the Western Conference, before finishing the season with a 26-56 record and remaining in 12th place. And with the Western Conference remaining grueling as ever, there's not too much light at the end of the tunnel… at least for the upcoming season.

The Mavericks are still young, have a first-time NBA head coach, and are figuring things out around Flagg. It's certainly a team in transition, one that's not quite ready to contend just yet.

On the flip side, as mentioned throughout, Irving is 34, and he'll turn 35 next March. Moreover, as a former All-Star who boasts a significant injury history, who's to say how long Irving's prime will last? Thus, it's fair to wonder how long the point guard will want to suit up for a team still aiming for even a playoff appearance, let alone a winning record.

As it seems, McMahon's proclamation could certainly ring true. The trade deadline has been as raucous as ever in recent seasons, and with the Mavericks still in a state of progression, Irving could very well ask out at the deadline in search of a new home if Dallas has an underwhelming first half of the season.

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