The possibility of a Kyrie Irving trade has been one of the NBA’s most closely watched offseason storylines, but recent reporting suggests the veteran guard is increasingly likely to remain with the Dallas Mavericks.
Speaking on the latest speculation surrounding Irving, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski said momentum toward a move has cooled significantly over the last several days. According to Krawczynski, there have been “more and more signs” emerging from Dallas that both the Mavericks and Irving want to continue their partnership, making a trade increasingly unlikely.
That represents a notable shift from earlier offseason discussions. NBA insider Jake Fischer recently said he was not convinced Irving would still be on Dallas’ roster by opening night, fueling speculation that the Mavericks could consider reshaping their roster around No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg after a disappointing 26-56 season.
Instead, recent indications point toward Dallas viewing Irving as part of its long-term vision alongside Flagg.
Krawczynski noted that Irving enjoys living in Dallas and appears to have found stability with the organization. He added that while the Minnesota Timberwolves had been viewed as a potential landing spot, the likelihood of such a deal now appears remote.
“I would be very surprised if a Kyrie Irving deal got done,” Krawczynski said, via HoopsHype.
Minnesota’s interest made basketball sense on paper. The Timberwolves finished 49-33 and reached the Western Conference semifinals before losing to the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in six games. Anthony Edwards averaged 28.8 points during the regular season, but Minnesota has continued searching for additional ball-handling and shot creation around its franchise star.
Irving’s résumé naturally made him an attractive target. Across 779 career regular-season games, the nine-time All-Star has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds while establishing himself as one of the league’s premier late-game shot creators.
However, several factors complicate any potential trade market.
Irving is recovering from a torn ACL and did not appear during the 2025-26 season. He is also under contract after signing a three-year, $118 million deal, giving Dallas significant control over the situation. New Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri has publicly discussed both Irving and Flagg when outlining the franchise’s future direction, suggesting the organization still views the veteran guard as part of its plans.
From Dallas’ perspective, retaining Irving could help bridge two timelines. The Mavericks are attempting to recover from consecutive playoff absences and the fallout from the Luka Doncic trade. While Flagg is expected to become the centerpiece of the franchise, having an established star alongside him could ease the transition and provide leadership during the early stages of his NBA career.
