Mavs Eyeing Trade For 'Big Name' Player to Pair With Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving
DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to re-tool the roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving this summer, the main mechanism at their disposal to make a trade maneuver is the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
During a recent appearance on ESPN's "First Take" show, NBA insider Brian Windhorst shared insight into Kyrie Irving's summer ahead as one of the league's top free agents. He is eligible to sign a five-year, $272.9 million contract with the Mavs, but can earn up to a four-year, $210.1 million if he signs outright with another team.
Windhorst explained that based on Irving's actions with how he handled his Nets departure, there is a clear focus to maximize his next contract. The goal behind pushing for a midseason trade was to get to a new team that would be more willing to give him the type of deal he seeks by gaining his Bird rights.
“Kyrie has been really focused on his contract for a long time,” Windhorst said. “When he didn’t get the contract extension he wanted with the (Brooklyn) Nets, he demanded a trade. For him to say that he is not thinking about his contract, I don’t think his actions reflect that. I think he thinks about it a lot.”
Given the Mavs being able to pay Irving more than any other team and having his Bird rights, they are not a team that should be discounted. Additionally, Windhorst mentioned that it's possible they trade the 10th pick to pursue a "big name, complementary piece" to make them all the more enticing of an option.
“I don’t think we should discount the Dallas Mavericks. Even though they said we’re not going free-agent shopping,” Windhorst said. “They could make that 10th pick in the upcoming draft available, and they have some contracts they can trade.”
“They are hunting for a big name, complementary piece to go alongside Luka Doncic and keep Kyrie Irving in the fold,” Windhorst explained.
There was a line that stood out in what Windhorst explained, suggesting the Mavs may not outright be willing to give Irving kind of offer he wants. With teams now being authorized to discuss contract terms with their own free agents as soon as the day after the end of the NBA Finals, there is a lot of time that could be available for both sides after that initial conversation.
“But I am not sure if the Mavericks will make the kind of offer that Kyrie wants,” Windhorst said.
If things do not go according to the "handshake deal" that Irving and the Mavs reportedly have, that's when other potential suitors become important to monitor. Windhorst brought up the Los Angeles Lakers due to them being "somewhat interested" in making the trade midseason.
“At one time in midseason, the Lakers were something that were very interesting to (Irving), and the Lakers were somewhat interested in him,” Windhorst said. “He came to multiple Laker playoff games, and the Lakers are an option once again.”
Based on the comments from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka about valuing continuity with the current group that achieved a Western Conference Finals run, Windhorst isn't sold on the Lakers making a legitimate pursuit for Irving's services.
“I am not sure Rob Pelinka likes the connection (to Irving)," Windhorst said. "When he comes out and says that ‘we are focused on keeping our young core together,’ that is code for we are not going shopping for a big free agent.”
It remains to be seen which particular trade targets will end up being in play for the 10th pick. Most speculation has linked the Mavs to Deandre Ayton, but with a restrictive Collective Bargaining Agreement soon set to take place, can the Mavs pay Doncic a supermax, Irving a max deal, and take on Ayton at his max salary? It would leave an already underwhelming roster at risk of becoming even more top-heavy.
Other options will surely surface closer to the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22. For now, the Mavs will continue to evaluate prospects and surely survey the trade market.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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