Mavericks Close the Door on a Kyrie Irving Trade

Kyrie Irving is making headlines, and not just because of his injury. Spotted this week on a court with high school players — a first since tearing his ACL in March 2025 — the Mavs’ All-Star point guard is at the center of trade rumors. Yet the message from the Texas franchise couldn’t be clearer: Irving is not available.

Kyrie is BACK 🔥

(Via @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/IrI6t8PCcN

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2026

Dallas Still Counting on Kyrie to Mentor Cooper Flagg

According to journalist Marc Stein, the Mavericks have no intention of putting their point guard on the market and are making him unavailable in discussions with other teams. Neither the Pistons nor the Timberwolves, both already identified as potential trade partners, appear to be in a position to move Dallas. As for the Rockets, no approach has reportedly been made yet.

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri has publicly expressed his desire to build around the veteran. « Kevin Durant once told me there is only one Kyrie Irving on Earth. So I think we need to find a way to integrate Kyrie into our project, » he said. A statement that confirms Dallas remains « very intrigued » by the idea of pairing Irving with Cooper Flagg, the 2026 Rookie of the Year.

The Mavericks have reportedly told teams this offseason that Kyrie Irving is « not available, » per @TheSteinLine

Despite previous links to the Rockets, Mavericks president of basketball ops Masai Ujiri has been « effusive » when asked about Irving and may not be ready to move him pic.twitter.com/BtOPvhj0fq

— SleeperRockets (@SleeperRockets) June 15, 2026

At 34 years old and coming off a lost season, Kyrie Irving still holds significant trade value. The last holdover from the Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban era in Texas, he could have represented the ideal trade chip to turn the page for good. But the new front office has clearly chosen a different path — one of continuity built around the veteran and their Rookie of the Year.

The End of the Pursuit?

In Minnesota, the interest makes sense: the Timberwolves are looking to take some pressure off Anthony Edwards by pairing him with a point guard capable of creating for others and himself in clutch moments. The same logic applies in Detroit, where Cade Cunningham needs a reliable backcourt partner to help the team take the next step. This past NBA playoffs highlighted the limitations of both franchises in that regard.

While Ja Morant is also an option for teams in search of a point guard, Uncle Drew remains a more proven and accomplished candidate in the league.

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His situation could nevertheless evolve over the course of the 2026-2027 season. Irving will potentially be entering the final year of his contract, with a player option worth $42 million for 2027-2028. If his level of play upon returning from injury falls short of expectations, more concrete interest could materialize. In the meantime, Dallas is focused on other matters, including the potential departures of Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford. Irving’s suitors are on notice: they’ll have to wait…