Rumors: Dallas Mavericks on Kyrie Irving’s wish list if he can’t reach new deal with Nets

The Dallas Mavericks want to acquire a second star to pair with Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old superstar just lifted his team to the Western Conference Finals as he made his case for best player in the NBA, but the Mavs were a few pieces short of winning it all.

General manager and president of basketball operations Nico Harrison wasted zero time in acquiring a center upgrade as he traded four players that were outside the team’s playoff rotation and the 26th overall pick in the 2022 draft for Christian Wood. The 6’10 big man is a dynamic scorer and rebounder who can space the floor.

Wood does not solve the Mavericks' star power problem, but Dallas could have their chance if Kyrie Irving cannot strike a new deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Dallas Mavericks are on Kyrie Irving’s wish list if he can’t reach new deal with Nets

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported there are six teams on Kyrie’s preferred list if he cannot agree to a new deal in Brooklyn. Irving leaving could have massive ripple effects, including Kevin Durant choosing to leave the Nets.

The teams Irving is interested in joining are the Clippers, Lakers, Knicks, Heat, Sixers, and Mavericks. It was surprising to see Dallas on the list, and it would be interesting to see if the Mavs interest is mutual.

Kyrie played just 29 games last season after refusing to comply with New York City’s vaccine mandate, and he has appeared in just 230 games combined over the last five seasons combined. For reference, Luka Doncic has played 264 games in his first four NBA seasons. Irving is incredibly talented, but he has struggled to stay on the court in recent years.

This is a developing story, and the Brooklyn Nets want to keep Kevin Durant. That could mean giving Kyrie Irving a five-year max contract to keep all parties happy and in Brooklyn. If the Nets hold firm on their end, both Irving and Durant could be available and the Mavericks may be able to acquire that second star they covet.