5 Trade deadline moves that would boost Mavericks, 5 they must avoid

3. Avoid: Trading Kyrie Irving

There have been no rumors that say the Dallas Mavericks have even thought about trading Kyrie Irving, but this is a move they must avoid.

Although Irving has only played in 27 games this season, he has been playing some of the best basketball of his time in Dallas as of late. His 3-point jumper is looking phenomenal, and he and Luka Doncic are one of the deadliest duos in the NBA when they are both healthy.

Once Irving returns from his thumb injury, him staying healthy will be crucial for Dallas. If Irving can stay healthy, the Mavs could end up making a deep playoff run. If not, the Mavericks could miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

Dallas staying healthy has been their main problem this season, and hopefully, Irving's injuries aren't a recurring thing.

The Mavs must avoid trading Irving because that would show that they had given up on the duo of him and Doncic. This duo has tons of potential, and any trade that involves moving Irving could make this season a wash.

The Mavs can't afford to waste a year of Luka's career, and missing the playoffs two years in a row is not a good way to keep him happy. If Irving can have an elite second half of the season, the Mavs could be contenders in the Western Conference, especially if they upgrade via trade.