Pass or pursue on 5 holiday trade ideas for the Mavericks

Pass or pursue on Dallas Mavericks trade idea: 4. Mavs acquire Kyrie

The two most polarizing players with their names circulating in trade talks are Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving. The Mavs do not have the pieces to swing a Simmons deal unless Daryl Morey’s asking price comes down, but Kyrie could be a different story.

The Nets are allowing Irving to return as a part-time player as he is unable to play in the team’s home games because of his vaccination status. If that drags on, could Brooklyn try to trade Irving for pieces that help them contend for a championship on a nightly basis? Here is a hypothetical deal proposed by Hoops Habit.

The year attached to the first-round pick could be debated here. The Mavericks cannot trade their top selection in 2022, and they owe their 2023 first to the Knicks from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. Dallas could offer 2027 or remove the protection from their 2023 first to make it 2025.

Would the Mavericks be better with Kyrie over KP? Irving was second-team All-NBA last season in a year where he played with Kevin Durant and James Harden. The 6’2 guard would have no issues fitting next to Luka Doncic and the two could form the best backcourt in the NBA.

Verdict: Pursue

Owner Mark Cuban shot down rumors that the Mavericks have discussed a Kyrie Irving trade, but it would make sense. Dallas should be willing to send out Porzingis to acquire the current Nets guard because it improves their overall talent.