A Kyrie Irving trade would end badly but is it worth it for the Dallas Mavericks?

The Dallas Mavericks want to upgrade their roster around superstar Luka Doncic, and they would love to find him a co-star that would vault the team into title contention. That will be easier said than done as Dallas can only trade two first-round picks and they lack a young talent with star potential. The title race is wide open, and Dallas would love to upgrade before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, but can they find the right deal?

Kyrie Irving sent shockwaves through the NBA when he requested a trade on Friday afternoon. The Nets drama had died down in recent weeks, and Brooklyn was fourth in the Eastern Conference, even with Kevin Durant missing the last 11 games. Irving and the Nets could not reach an extension, so the seven-time All-Star wants to be traded before Thursday’s deadline.

Kyrie is no stranger to drama and uncomfortable situations. He is one of the best players in the world right now, and the Mavericks are one of four teams that have been linked to Irving in the hours after his trade demand. Dallas is exploring every option, but is trading for Kyrie worth it?

Kyrie Irving is a superstar talent that would bring a ton of baggage to the Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie has been healthy this season, but the 6’2 point guard did miss eight games after being suspended by the team. It was just the latest in Irving missing time.

Since joining the Nets in 2019, Kyrie has played in just 152 of a possible 285 games when combining regular and postseason. He is one of the most talented players in the league, but that does not help if he is not on the court. Can the Mavs get him to play more and stay healthier?

Irving enjoys drama, and he already forced his way out of two franchises, which the 6'2 guard would like to turn into three before the deadline. Teams are usually willing to pay up if they can contend for a championship. Are the Mavs prepared to give up a trade package for Irving and sign him to a long-term deal?

The Dallas Mavericks want a second star, and Kyrie Irving will be available before the deadline. Whoever pulls off this move will get a talented player, but one that has struggled to stay on the court and comes with a history of creating drama for his team. Is that worth it?

The Dallas Mavericks want a star next to Luka Doncic but is Kyrie Irving the answer?

The Mavs needed another ball-handler and playmaker the moment Jalen Brunson signed with the Knicks in free agency. They tried a few low-cost options that have not worked out. Irving would give them an elite ball-handler that is no stranger to running an offense and playing off a ball-dominant superstar.

This season, Kyrie is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks in 37.0 minutes per game. The 30-year-old point guard is a career 47.1 percent shooter from the field that has made 39.1 percent of his 3-point tries and 88.2 percent from the foul line. The Mavs have struggled to make their free throws this season, and Irving would instantly give them an elite scorer and foul shooter to close out games.

Beyond that, Kyrie won a championship in Cleveland playing off LeBron James, and he has shared the court with Kevin Durant and James Harden in Brooklyn. He knows how to play on or off the ball and is comfortable being the number two on a championship squad.

Trading for Kyrie Irving means paying him with a max contract in the offseason. He has played just 143 games in the last four seasons combined, but the 6’2 guard has zero interest in any contract that is not a guaranteed max. There are defensive concerns from Kyrie, but those are secondary to signing him long-term.

Would the Dallas Mavericks make a long-term commitment to Kyrie Irving?

Irving is going to get paid by some team. He will start the All-Star game in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19, which will be his eighth career trip. Kyrie is producing elite numbers and appears committed to playing.

Bigger questions remain like would Irving sign a four-year max contract with the Dallas Mavericks, and would the franchise offer that deal? Both are difficult to answer, but the picture is clear.

Kyrie wants a new contract, but ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported he is only eligible for a two-year $78.6 million extension during the season. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer where he can sign a four-year max contract. Irving wants the massive payday meaning he is unlikely to sign an in-season extension. The 6'2 guard will hit the open market this summer where he is free to sign with any team.

If the Mavericks trade for him, they will have to sign him long-term. First, Irving will be unhappy and leave in the offseason if they do not make a commitment to him. Second, Dallas would have to give up some assets to acquire Kyrie, which will make them pot commitment to keeping him in Dallas as the star next to Luka Doncic.

That would be the ultimate home run swing. Irving has the talent to be the second star on a championship team, but will he be available to do so? One of the reasons that the Mavs traded Kristaps Porzingis was because he struggled to stay on the court, so why would they jump into the Kyrie business? Things would certainly not end well if Irving joins the Mavericks, but would it be worth it?

Kyrie Irving on the Dallas Mavericks would end badly but would it be worth it?

Things do not end well for Kyrie Irving and his NBA team. Ask the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Yes, Irving helped the Cavaliers win a championship, but he requested a trade and wanted out. Things turned sour in Boston before Irving’s departure in free agency, and now this. There would-be drama along the way and an exit involving a trade demand, but would it be worth it?

Was it for the Brooklyn Nets? They acquired Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the summer of 2019 and were picked by many as instant championship contenders. In four years, they made three playoff appearances and are on their way to a fourth, but Brooklyn only advanced beyond the first round once. In that year, they lost in the second round to the eventual champion Bucks. There was plenty of drama and off-court noise that came with it all.

The Mavericks have Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old superstar is on pace to be an all-time great, and he is not known for creating drama. Doncic wants to win. He is not a massive fan of talking to the media. Trading for Kyrie means more press and scrutiny. It creates additional drama and likely chemistry issues in the locker room. Do the Mavs want all that?

Dallas wants a second star, but Kyrie Irving is not the answer. He wasn’t this summer, and he still is not. Yes, the talent is there, but it comes with too many problems. The Mavericks cannot afford to pay him $200 million for all those headaches. It could be the force that drives Luka Doncic out of Dallas, and the Mavs certainly don’t want that.

What will the Dallas Mavericks do before the Feb. 9 trade deadline? Stay tuned to find out.