Mavericks urged to make Kyrie Irving draft-night trade that's far too risky

Bleacher Report recently released an article in which they went through every NBA team’s first-round pick and whether they should trade it or keep it, and they proposed the Dallas Mavericks should package their No. 9 pick along with superstar guard Kyrie Irving to move up anywhere in the 4-7 range of the first-round, but this move would be far too risky for Dallas to even consider.

Bleacher Report cited Irving’s age and recent ACL tear as a justifiable reason to make a future-leaning move like this, but as talented as this draft class is, this move simply wouldn’t be worth it unless Dallas was moving up to the top of the lottery to draft someone like AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson.

Recent workout videos and anecdotes from Irving practically prove he’s at 100 percent now in terms of his recovery from injury, and he’s automatically going to be better than any picks in the draft in their rookie season next year if he stays healthy, outside of maybe Dybantsa and Peterson.

Bleacher Report's mock Irving draft-night trade for Dallas is far too risky

Acquiring a bona fide future superstar alongside Cooper Flagg would be the only way this venture would be worthwhile for Dallas, and as good as prospects like Caleb Wilson, Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, and Cameron Boozer are, there’s no guarantee they project to be a future All-NBA player like Dybantsa and Peterson do.

There are other scenarios where trading Irving may be applicable for the Mavericks in terms of acquiring young talent and building for the future, but it would need to be for someone who is a little more proven at the NBA level than most of these college prospects are, as Irving is one of the game's all-time greats, and was still playing like a high-level All-Star before his ACL tear.

It’s been confirmed that the Mavericks are keeping all their options open in terms of trading down or up in this upcoming draft, but moving up just a couple of slots and sending away Irving would not be the way to accomplish this feat, as Dallas could still find a very high-level player at pick No. 9 if they play their cards right.

Trading Irving isn't worth only moving up a couple spots

Not to mention, trading Irving in this type of deal would absolutely wreck the hearts of Mavericks fans, as losing another superstar in an ill-advised move from the front office would completely fracture the fanbase once again, and there would be immense pressure on whoever the Mavericks drafted upon trading up.

Dallas’ best course of action is going to be to keep Irving this offseason in general, unless an irrefutable trade package comes their way that gives them Flagg’s next co-star. Despite Irving’s age and injury history, he can help Dallas return to the playoffs next season, which is needed in terms of getting Flagg reps at the next level, as well as the fact that the Mavericks don’t have control of their first-round pick next season.

This may be a new era of Mavericks basketball, but that doesn’t mean Dallas needs to completely abandon everyone from the 2024 NBA Finals run, and Irving’s pedigree and championship experience will serve the next rendition of the team well.

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