6 Dallas Mavericks who are expendable, and 6 they can't afford to trade

1. Can't afford to trade: Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks made headlines last season as they traded Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. Irving was on an expiring contract, but the Mavs were betting on him and Luka Doncic working as a duo.

Although many thought that Luka and Kyrie would click immediately, that wasn't the case. Dallas fell down the rankings as the season winded down and ended up missing the playoffs. This was the last thing that people expected when Dallas traded for Irving, but they didn't have a good enough team surrounding Irving and Doncic to compete with the best teams in the league.

Dallas ended up re-signing Irving to a three-year deal this offseason, and the Mavs are sitting at 12-8 through 20 games. They are playing much better as a duo, and Irving has become someone that Dallas can't afford to trade.

The Mavs can't afford to trade him because this would cause them to have to start over again in a way. This roster is constructed around Kyrie and Luka, and another blockbuster trade would complicate things even more for Doncic and the Mavs.

Irving has proved that he is an essential piece for this team, and Dallas just needs a few more pieces to become true NBA Finals contenders. There is still plenty of basketball to be played, and Dallas could move Irving at the deadline if he struggles, but I don't think that will happen.

For all the latest on Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.