Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving officially stepped onto an NBA court for the first time since March 3, 2025, and showed flashes of the brilliance we're used to. On Sunday, Irving scored 22 points in 17 minutes in the Mavericks' 132-115 win over the Rockets in China. Now, with Irving back in the fold for the Mavericks and playing at a high level, many teams appear to be monitoring him as a potential trade candidate.
ESPN's Tim McMahon has reported that teams are monitoring if Masai Ujiri will open up trade discussions for Kyrie Irving leading into February's trade deadline. But in an ESPN story by Brian Windhorst about the Mavericks and Cooper Flagg, Irving isn't worried about any trade chatter. He's focused on being an asset to former No. 1 pick and Mavericks star Cooper Flagg.
“Your talent only gets you so far; being remembered for your work ethic and how you treated people and also that championship mindset you came in with every day, that's what people hold on to,” Irving said. “For me as a peer, but also as a brother, I look at him as someone that has a world of potential, but also still needs a lot of guidance just like we all do in basketball, a lot of teaching, a lot of knowledge being passed.”
Article Continues BelowPer Windhorst, any indication that Irving is on the trade block is blown out of proportion, as Ujiri wants to keep the Irving-Flagg tandem together.
“Ujiri has made it clear that the franchise is committed to keeping Irving with Flagg, who is 15 years younger than the star point guard. Rival front offices question whether Dallas can stick to that plan with roster holes elsewhere and the two stars on different career timelines,” Windhorst wrote.