Mark Cuban has revealed that NBA insider Shams Charania was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks’ pursuit and eventual retention of Kyrie Irving.
Speaking about the trade that brought the guard to Dallas in February 2023 and his extension two years later, Cuban admitted he leaned on Charania for information. “On my end, it was Shams,” Cuban said, via Awful Announcing. “He was big help with us getting Kyrie, when we traded for Kyrie. And for us extending him when we extended, because he had a great relationship with Kyrie’s agent (Shetellia Riley Irving, his stepmother).”
Cuban detailed how the relationship with Charania went beyond traditional reporting. The Mavericks’ former owner said he would occasionally provide the insider with future stories in exchange for updates about league dynamics. “He would help educate me about other things happening around the league,” Cuban noted. “There were certain things he would tell me as it related to players and what their interests were.”
Irving’s arrival marked a significant shift for Dallas, pairing him with Luka Doncic before the superstar was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025. Despite the short-lived pairing, Irving remained committed to the Mavericks, signing a three-year deal in July 2025 following an ACL tear that cut short his 2024–25 campaign.
For Cuban, the exchange of information with Charania created a mutually beneficial connection. “We had a great relationship,” he explained. “He knew when not to ask, and I knew when not to ask about other teams because he wouldn’t tell me.”
Irving, a nine-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion, averaged 24.7 points and 4.6 assists in 50 games this season before his injury against the Sacramento Kings on March 3. While questions remain about his availability for 2025–26, his re-signing demonstrated Dallas’ confidence in his long-term value.
