Mavericks' trade stance on Kyrie Irving is exactly what Cooper Flagg needs

The Dallas Mavericks made it clear that they didn't want to trade Kyrie Irving during the offseason, and they have kept this sentiment amid their stronger-than-expected start to the 2026-27 season. Dallas is 4-3 after Monday night's loss to the Sacramento Kings, and it seems they want Kyrie to continue to be a key component of their success.

The Mavericks aren't taking trade calls on Kyrie Irving

NBA insider Marc Stein joined SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday, and his reporting on Dallas' trade stance on Irving is exactly what Cooper Flagg needs. Kyrie and Coop have formed a deadly duo through the handful of games they've played together, and the Mavericks want to keep them together.

"The Mavs have consistently told teams they don't even want to field your call," Stein said about Irving.

Dallas doesn't just want to keep Irving. They don't even want to entertain trade offers right now.

Why Cooper Flagg needs Irving in Dallas

This puts Flagg in a great spot in the middle of his second season, as the team is looking to retain his co-star, who has helped him tremendously this season. Kyrie had a big influence on Flagg during Cooper's rookie season from the sidelines, and this duo has proven that all the hype was worth it on the court.

The Mavericks are 4-1 in the games that Irving and Flagg play together, with the only loss being against the Houston Rockets on opening night. Their on-court chemistry is clear, as Irving has the on-ball gravity to draw attention away from Flagg, and Flagg has the secondary creation to help get good looks for Irving.

They're a phenomenal fit together, and a reliable co-star is exactly what Cooper lacked last season. He was forced to run the offense on his own, and while Flagg was productive as a rookie, he looks like a completely different player alongside Irving.

A prime example of what the Mavs would look like without Irving was their performance on Monday night against Sacramento. Dallas shot 7-of-33 from beyond the arc, and their lack of shot creation was evident. Flagg struggled as well, shooting 3-of-19 from the field, and the Mavs' shooters couldn't make the Kings pay for leaving them open on the perimeter.

How Irving and Flagg complement each other

Irving has the experience to give Flagg guidance when needed, and their complementary skill sets help make the game much easier for one another. Neither player needs the ball in their hands at all times to make an impact, and the offense is hard to stop when both of them are on the floor.

Dallas is outscoring their opponents by 11.2 points per 100 possessions when Irving is on the court with Flagg, posting an impressive 121.6 offensive rating. The sample size is limited, but early-season wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets are important proof that what the Mavericks have going on is working.

They're in a better position to win than initially expected, and Irving gives them a good chance to keep this going. Flagg getting a chance to gain some playoff experience in his second season would be massive as well, and keeping Kyrie on the roster puts them in a good position to fight for a play-in berth.

Having Flagg play alongside an established star rather than forcing him to run the offense on his own is a major benefit for the 19-year-old phenom, and keeping Irving on the roster will allow Flagg to have someone to look up to on and off the court.

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