Instant Reaction to Nets Trading Kyrie Irving to Mavericks, a Missed Opportunity for a Celtics' Rival

For the Mavericks, the gamble Kyrie Irving proves the right running mate for Luka Doncic has higher stakes than it may seem.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks are taking more of a risk than first meets the eye in acquiring Kyrie Irving.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets are receiving Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and second-round selections in 2027 and 2029.

Wojnarowski reports the expectation is for Irving to arrive for a physical on Monday in Dallas and travel to make his team debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Kyrie Irving is expected to arrive for a physical on Monday in Dallas and travel to make his Mavericks debut vs. the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday (10 PM ET, ESPN), source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2023

With Irving on an expiring contract, a $36.5 million player option, the Mavericks can use the remainder of this season as a test drive to see if they want to commit beyond this campaign to a team built around Luka Doncic and his new running mate.

At 28-26, Dallas is sixth in the Western Conference standings, 2.5 games behind the third-seeded Sacramento Kings. Adding a player of Irving's caliber to a team that ranks eighth in opponent points per contest, but is 24th in scoring, might give the Mavericks enough balance to stage a deeper playoff run.

As impactful as bringing in an eight-time All-Star averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this season could prove, this move resulting in Dallas capturing the Larry O'Brien Trophy this year seems like a stretch.

One can't ignore that despite only appearing in 29 games last season, Irving grew less impactful and more fatigued as the Celtics swept Brooklyn.

He might come to Dallas and hit all the right notes, as he did upon first arriving in Boston, and before requesting a trade, he was playing well and helping keep the fourth-seeded Nets afloat without Kevin Durant. Even so, he has to prove he won't wear down as the playoffs progress.

And if the Mavericks determine he's not the second star needed to help Doncic bring an NBA title to Dallas, well, it just became a lot more difficult to trade for a player they think will check that box.

Due to the Stepien Rule, because the Mavericks are sending their 2029 first-round pick to Brooklyn, the potential package centered around draft capital they might use to acquire a new running mate to pair with Doncic is limited to offering two first-round picks outright.

Any other first-round selections before 2029 they were to include in such an offer would have to come in the form of pick swaps. They can create more flexibility by acquiring an opening round choice to replace one sent out.

For example, if Dallas makes a future deal that nets them a 2029 first-round pick, it can trade the one it has in 2029.

So, along with the possibility Irving's playoff impact is on a downward trajectory and the risks that come with committing to him beyond this season, overcoming this gamble not paying off is quite challenging.

In that scenario, the best case is likely a free agent wants to take their talents to Dallas in a summer where the Mavericks have the cap space or can at least pull off a sign-and-trade to bring that individual aboard.

As for Irving's former team, the combination of Durant, Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Royce O'Neale, should translate to a formidable defense.

But even with Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith joining T.J. Warren and shooters like Seth Curry and Joe Harris, Durant generating enough offensive output to propel this team to a title is an unfair ask of the former league MVP.

So, while the Mavericks should try to upgrade their perimeter defense and add more shooting before the trade deadline passes on Feb. 9, Brooklyn should look for more help for Durant offensively.

As for the teams that wanted and missed out on Irving, the clear loser from that group is the Los Angeles Lakers. The purple and gold are 13th in the West and below .500 (25-29).

However, a big three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Irving is not a trio any opposition would enjoy dealing with in a best-of-seven series.

Adding Irving seemed like a way to elevate the Lakers into championship contenders. That path may no longer exist this season.

Further Reading

The Top 5 Plays from Friday's Celtics-Suns Game

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Suns: Ice-Cold Shooting Has Boston Playing from Behind Nearly All Night

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk

These Four Teams Reportedly Have Interest in Trading Celtics Guard Payton Pritchard