The rumors are loud, but one thing seems clear: the Mavericks are not planning to move on from Kyrie Irving anytime soon. Anthony Davis, though? That’s where things start to get interesting.
Buzz around the league is growing that, with a revamped front office now running the show in Dallas, the Mavericks are poised to be very active as the NBA trade deadline approaches in February. The expectation is that this new leadership group will look aggressively at ways to reshape and upgrade the roster, rather than just standing pat and hoping internal growth is enough. But here’s where it gets controversial: not every star in Dallas is viewed the same way when it comes to trade talks.
Kyrie Irving: Off the Table
On the “Howdy Partners” podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reiterated what he and other reporters have been saying for a while: Dallas has no desire to trade Kyrie Irving. In other words, if rival teams are calling to ask about Kyrie, they are essentially being told there is no deal to be made. The Mavericks see him as a core piece, not a trade chip.
Irving is still working his way back from ACL surgery and remains sidelined for now, though there is optimism he could return later this season. That potential late-season boost, combined with his contract situation, makes him especially valuable to Dallas. His deal is considered relatively manageable by star standards: about $35.6 million this season, a guaranteed $39.5 million next year, and then a player option worth roughly $42.4 million for the 2027–28 season.
Why Teams Still Call About Kyrie
Because of that contract structure and his talent level, other teams naturally have interest in prying Kyrie away. For a high-level playmaker and scorer on a deal that is expensive but not outrageous in the current cap environment, front offices around the league see a chance to add a star without completely destroying their future flexibility. And this is the part most people miss: a “reasonable” star contract becomes a powerful asset when other teams are desperate.
However, the Mavericks know this too, which is why it would likely take an absolutely massive, blow-you-away type of proposal to even get them to consider moving him. Think of the kind of “Godfather offer” where the return is so overwhelming—multiple premium picks, young blue-chip players, or both—that it forces a second look. Anything less than that, and Dallas simply hangs up the phone.
Anthony Davis: A Very Different Story
Anthony Davis’ situation in Dallas is almost the opposite. While Kyrie is being treated as untouchable, Davis is widely seen as a genuine trade possibility—perhaps even a probable one—before this season is over. The Mavericks appear much more open to exploring what his market could bring, especially if they think moving him can better balance the roster or reduce long-term risk.
Davis is expected to make his return to action tonight against the Lakers after missing 14 games because of a calf strain. For any serious trade scenario to gain traction, he will first need to stay healthy and on the floor through December and January. During that stretch, he has to put up strong, convincing numbers that remind teams he is still at least an All-Star and potentially an All-NBA level player when everything is clicking.
Age, Injuries, and Contract Complications
Here’s where the conversation gets thorny. Davis is 32 years old and will turn 33 in March, and his career has been marked by recurring minor and moderate injuries that make some executives nervous. The talent is undeniable, but the durability questions are just as real. That kind of profile makes teams think twice before giving up major assets.
Financially, Davis is also extremely expensive. He is earning $54.1 million this season and has a guaranteed $58.5 million coming next season. On top of that, he is expected to seek a contract extension in the upcoming summer, which would commit any acquiring team to even more money into his mid-30s. For front offices already fighting cap constraints and new CBA rules, this is a serious long-term commitment.
The Tight Trade Market for AD
Because of that combination of age, health history, and salary, the market for Davis is much thinner than it might be for a younger, similarly talented star. Only a handful of teams can even talk themselves into the risk, let alone make the math work under the cap. That small pool dramatically limits the possible destinations.
Franchises such as Chicago, Golden State, New York, and Phoenix have all been linked to Davis in speculation and reports, though in reality, those last two (New York and Phoenix) seem far less likely as actual landing spots. Even for the more plausible teams, there is a major gap between theoretical interest and constructing a trade that both sides can genuinely live with. The financial rules and roster needs make it extremely hard to get a deal across the finish line.
Cap Rules and Trade Math Nightmares
Dallas faces an added obstacle: the team is pressed right up against the second-apron hard cap. That status dramatically restricts their flexibility and makes matching salaries in a large trade much more difficult. When a player like Davis has such a massive number on his contract, every dollar has to be lined up almost perfectly to satisfy league rules.
Take Golden State as a hypothetical “win now” partner. For a trade with the Warriors to be legal and somewhat logical, they would have to send out high-salary players in return. One path would be a one-for-one swap with another star-caliber salary, or a package centered around players like Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. But when you look closely, neither of those options really works for both teams. From roster fit to age timelines to personality and culture questions, those scenarios quickly start to look forced.
Rumors vs. Reality
None of this is going to stop the rumor mill from spinning. Davis’ name is likely to surface over and over again in trade chatter as long as the Mavericks are hovering near the deadline and teams are evaluating their postseason chances. Fans will speculate, insiders will float frameworks, and every big game—good or bad—will be dissected as either boosting or killing his trade value.
But when it comes to Kyrie Irving, the story is much more straightforward: the Mavericks are not planning to move him this season. Barring some unimaginable offer that completely reshapes the franchise’s future, Kyrie is expected to remain in Dallas as a centerpiece of what the team is trying to build. The real uncertainty, and the real drama, sits squarely on Anthony Davis and what the Mavericks ultimately decide his future should look like.
So where do you stand on this?
- Do you think Dallas should be more open to trading Kyrie if a strong offer comes along, or is keeping him off-limits the right call?
- Is moving Anthony Davis a smart way to protect the franchise from long-term risk, or are the Mavericks giving up too soon on a superstar who could still dominate if he stays healthy?
Share your take: Should the Mavericks break up this star duo, or double down and ride it out?
