Did Dallas Make a Mistake by Trading for Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving is now a Dallas Maverick. Now what? What’s next for the team he abandoned and for the team he just joined?
I didn’t think Kyrie Irving would get traded before the deadline. There were too many variables. For one, his last trade demand didn’t go anywhere. He reluctantly opted into his player option to stay in Brooklyn. And it’s not like Irving rehabilitated his image since the first time he asked out. His latest media storm revolved around posting a link to a documentary promoting antisemitic views on his social media accounts. Kyrie then repeatedly refused to apologize for doing so and was suspended for eight games.
Irving’s contract situation was another roadblock I thought would complicate things. Kyrie is an unrestricted free agent this summer and wanted a 4-year extension worth close to $200 million. The Nets scoffed at that for obvious reasons. So, even with all the baggage and uncertainty that Irving carries, the desperate Mavericks decided to trade for him. Dallas has longed for a viable co-star next to Luka Doncic, and they dealt the few assets they did have for what they view as the answer to that problem.
Meanwhile, the Nets had had enough of Irving’s shenanigans and now prepare for a title run. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to trade away Irving, one of the headlining 2019 free-agency signings, but it was clear both sides had had enough of each other.
Who won this trade? What’s Kyrie’s future look like in Dallas? Could the Nets have found a better trade package? Where does Kevin Durant fit into all of this? Let’s answer all of those questions (and more).
The Deal
Mavericks Receive: Kyrie Irving / Markieff Morris
Nets Receive: Spencer Dinwiddie / Dorian Finney-Smith / 2029 Unprotected FRP / 2027 & 29 2nd RP
Contract Notes:
- Markieff Morris (33): Free agent this summer
- Spencer Dinwiddie (29): 2 years / $36.86 million left
- Dorian Finney-Smith (29): 4 years / $55.56 million left (Player Option for 2025-26 season)*
*Holy shit what a steal*
Dallas Mavericks
What are the Mavs doing?
That was my initial reaction to this trade, and it hasn’t changed. I get that Luka Doncic needs a co-star. But you looked at all your possible choices and chose Irving? The guy who struggles to stay on the court because of injuries, drama, and policy violations? Irving has played just 210 games over the past five seasons. This the guy you decided to throw yourselves at? How desperate are you?*
*A LOT*
I get that losing Jalen Brunson was a big deal. The egg in Dallas’ face is still wet from that one. You needed another shot creator/facilitator to make this offense less Luka-reliant. Spencer Dinwiddie was having a good season, but he wasn’t enough. And yes, Irving does fit the mold of what Dallas needs to put next to Luka.
Kyrie has experience playing with a ball-dominant, play-making forward before. He and Lebron won a title in Cleveland — if you remember. Jason Kidd may have to stagger some minutes to let Irving operate alone. But I don’t think these two All-Star starters will struggle to play with one another. Dallas could experiment using Luka as a screen-setter, forcing defenses to pick between stopping Irving or not allowing Luka to get good low-post position.
Kyrie will also help Dallas win the Luka-less minutes. The Mavericks are 0-7 when Doncic doesn’t play this season. When he’s not on the court, their offensive rating plummets to 107.7. That would be the 30th-ranked offense in the league. Irving should help ease those troubles.
On the other hand, Dallas’ defense now becomes nonexistent. Dorian Finney-Smith was one of their few good defenders, and now he’s gone. Irving is smaller than Dinwiddie, so Dallas will struggle to stop opposing teams. Since December 1st, the Mavericks have had the 26th-ranked defense in the NBA. Will Dallas’ offensive firepower outweigh its defensive shortcomings? We’ll have to see.
Irving does make the Mavericks better in the short-term, but in the long-term? That’s where my gripes with this deal really kick in.
Stuck in the Middle With You
Let’s ask one question before I start to rant. As currently constructed, can the Mavs win the title? I think we all agree that the answer to that question is no. Keep that in the back of your head.
Irving is heading into unrestricted free agency this summer. He requested a trade from the Nets when they wouldn’t give him the 4-year extension he desired. Irving is still eligible for a 2 year/$80 million extension that Dallas could offer him before June 30th. But, I don’t think he’s going to accept anything less than four seasons. Irving is too unpredictable for that type of contractual commitment. Here’s where a dilemma kicks in for Dallas.
The Mavericks are stuck with Kyrie Irving, for better or (probably) worse. Look at what they gave up to get him. Dorian Finney-Smith was valuable and under contract for at least three seasons. Dinwiddie was also locked up for multiple seasons. And, the pièce de rèsistance is that unprotected 2029 first-rounder. There’s no telling what Dallas will look like in 2029. Luka isn’t even under contract in 2029!
So, even if logic tells you not to sign Irving long-term, the Mavericks have to give him the extension he wants. They’ve given up too much for him to be a rental. If they try and do a sign-and-trade in the offseason, they’ll be in the same place they were before they traded for Irving. Only this time, they won’t have Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Before this trade went down, Dallas must have already predetermined that they would give Irving the extension he wanted. How nonsensical is that? We’ve seen Irving make every situation he’s in worse. Kyrie impresses, agitates, and then overstays his welcome. There is no indicator he won’t do the same in Dallas, even if they give him that four-year commitment.
And that’s why I don’t like this trade for Mavericks. Sure, you gave Luka his most talented co-star to date. That’s great. But, when (not if) Irving decides to leave town, what effect will that have on Doncic? Harden and Durant both requested trades because of Irving’s lack of commitment. You have to wonder if Luka will follow a similar path. Does the risk of losing Luka Doncic make this trade anywhere near worth it? Absolutely not.
If Kyrie doesn’t re-sign this offseason, what does Dallas do? Sign Westbrook? Or D’Angelo Russell? Throw too much money at Kyle Kuzma? That’s a (depressing) thought that the Mavericks will have to answer if that situation arises. But Dallas can’t let it get to that point.
And that’s why they’re stuck to the temperamental, moody headache that is Kyrie Irving. All the while, they’re not remotely close to contending yet.
Outlook
The Western Conference is wide open. And the next couple of months is when Irving has the least chance to do something rash. But this Mavericks team still lacks the depth and defense to make a title run. The Mavericks may win a playoff series or two, but that’s about it. I guess Dallas’ logic is that they get four drama-free months of Irving, and they win the title. I need the drugs that they are (most definitely) smoking.
And, looking to the future, the Mavericks are tied to the hip with Irving. That’s a situation no franchise should ever have to go through. Irving has burned every bridge with every team he’s been with. Does he want to play with Doncic for the next 4 plus seasons after he inevitably gets the extension he wants? Probably not.
If Dallas doesn’t offer the 4-year extension to Irving, then what was the point of trading for him? There’s no winning in this deal for Dallas. The only thing they can hope for is peace. Nico Harrison, a former Nike executive, is hoping he can keep Irving, another former Nike client, in check for as long as possible. Good luck with that, Nico.
It’s a bold move for the Mavericks, but more questions remain than answers. Sure, the Mavericks now have a higher ceiling, but was it worth throwing yourselves into the Kyrie Irving basket while overpaying to do so?
Grade: D+
Brooklyn Nets
What a roller coaster four seasons it’s been for Brooklyn. They’ve had James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, and Kevin Durant at various times. Three of those guys have asked for trades, and now two have gotten them. The fourth one, Ben Simmons, is a shell of his former self.
Brooklyn offered KD, Kyrie, and Harden extensions during the 2021 offseason. Only KD accepted. And now, only KD remains. It’s the end of one of the most tumultuous eras in league history. But, as they’ve done time and time again, the Nets are trying to put everything behind them. And this time, it may work.
After firing Steve Nash, the Nets looked like one of the best teams in the East under Jacque Vaughn. They hit a roadblock as soon as KD got hurt, and they’ll likely continue to struggle until Durant returns. Brooklyn knew they needed players, not picks when trading Irving. They accomplished that in this deal with Dallas.
Dorian Finney-Smith is Royce O’Neale 2.0. He gives the Nets another 3&D wing — who is on a very team friendly-contract. Finney-Smith fits well into Brooklyn’s switching-oriented defense. Spender Dinwiddie has been shooting 41% from 3-PT land this season. He’s going to run pick-and-rolls with Claxton and play off of Durant. Not the worst downgrade from Kyrie. That’s failing to mention you still have a flamethrower in Cam Thomas who recently exploded for 44 points.
Dinwiddie is 6’5″ and a lot bigger than Irving, furthering Brooklyn’s reinvigorated defense. And, the Nets have a very deep roster filled with shooters, creators, and wings. Jacque Vaughn has a lot of options coming off his bench. When Durant comes back, the Nets will have less star power, but more depth than just about any team in the league.
You have to be happy with this return if you’re Brooklyn. All things considered, getting anything for Irving would be a win, much less this haul. That 2029 unprotected first is a great asset for a team lacking draft capital thanks to the James Harden trade.
But, here are three things to consider about this trade;
- Kevin Durant (!)
- Brooklyn’s Next Steps
- Were there any other better deals?
How’s It Going, Kevin?
Every time Kevin Durant gets hurt, everything falls apart around him. Last year, with Durant out and Brooklyn sliding, the Nets traded James Harden after he asked out. This year, a similar thing happened with Irving. Durant issued a trade request this summer but eventually rescinded it when no deal came.
The Nets did a great job recouping value for a disgruntled Irving. But does Kevin Durant feel the same way? Durant has watched his friends betray his trust and leave. All the while, KD just wants to hoop. When healthy, Durant is one of the best players in the league and is embarking on a historically efficient mid-range campaign. The former Texas Longhorn is 34 years old and looking for another ring.
Is Durant annoyed at Irving for wanting out just when things were turning around for Brooklyn? Is he mad at the Nets’ front office for not supporting Irving enough? Could he be relieved that the constant distractions that Irving brought regularly are gone? Who knows?
We won’t know the ramifications of this trade until we’re sure what Durant wants to do next. All eyes are going to be on Kevin Durant again. The question of “what does he want?” will arise again.
Losing Irving lowers the Nets’ ceiling. But, with a healthy Durant, there is still room for them to make their first deep playoff run of this era. Anything past that is unknown, which is a scary thought for Brooklyn. All we can do is sit, wait, and observe.
The Nets Aren’t Done Yet
There are still three days before the NBA trade deadline. This Nets team is good, but I think more moves are coming. Sean Marks and this front office probably feel they need a little more oomph to fill the void left by Irving.
Some trade involving Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Patty Mills, and draft picks (like the unprotected Mavericks first that Brooklyn just got) could net the Nets something. They could even consider trading the recently acquired Finney-Smith and Dinwiddie.
Brooklyn needs a backup center (who can shoot free throws) and better POA defenders. For the latter, one name that immediately comes to mind is Gary Trent Jr.
The Raptors are on the verge of blowing things up. Trent is a talented but streaky two-way guard that would be an immediate upgrade for Brooklyn. Gary’s contract situation is interesting, however. He has a player option for next season that he will probably decline to secure a long-term deal.
Similar to Irving, whoever trades for Trent will probably have already decided that they’re going to extend him. The Klutch client is only 24 years old and one of the better players on the market. So, here’s what the Nets could throw together;
Nets Receive: Gary Trent Jr
Raptors Receive: Joe Harris / Kessler Edwards / 2027 FRP (HOU has the right to Swap) / 2025 2nd RP via MIA
Getting a guy like GTJ will add more firepower for the Nets and make them more formidable. Expect the Nets to make more moves before the deadline. I would be surprised if they held serve after just trading Kyrie. And, again, the goal of keeping Durant in town hangs over this franchise like a dark cloud.
Was This The Best Deal Available?
We now know that the Suns and Lakers also offered trade packages to the Nets after Irving requested a trade. The Clippers were also in the running. Were those trade packages better than what Brooklyn ended up accepting?
Within the first 18 hours of Irving’s trade request, Phoenix offered Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and a first-round pick for Kyrie. The Nets countered, saying they wanted three first-rounders. Phoenix backed off after that and will likely go after Fred VanVleet in the coming days. New owner Mat Ishbia and the front office are gunning for a point guard for the future.
While Paul has been good as of late, he’s not what he once was. The 38-year-old is nowhere near as explosive as Irving, nor is he the caliber of scorer that someone like Dinwiddie is. Crowder hasn’t played all season. Dorian Finney-Smith is much better than Crowder and has much more contract security.
The Nets made the right decision by turning this decision down. Your championship window with Chris Paul would have been a lot smaller than it currently is.
The Lakers have been heavily involved with Irving since he became a Net. They inquired about him before he opted into his player option this past summer. They had more talks as the summer progressed, albeit nothing too serious.
Jeanie Buss and the Lakers’ brass know that the clock is against them. They’re trying to squeeze one more championship while Lebron James (somehow) still dominate. A trio of Lebron, a sometimes healthy Davis, and the eccentric Irving would bring them closer, I suppose.
LA offered Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract, plus both of their coveted first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 for Kyrie Irving. If that doesn’t tell you how desperate the Lakers are, I don’t know what will.
But, the Nets understandably wanted more than just Westbrook. Brooklyn demanded Lakers youngsters Austin Reaves and Max Christie, as well as some more pick swaps. Nets owner Joe Tsai (apparently) didn’t want to trade Irving to the Lakers, perhaps undermining negotiations in the first place. The Lakers tried to involve a third team, but the two sides were unable to find a deal that worked and Lebron James was left feeling sad;
The Clippers (apparently) offered Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, one future first, and two first-round pick swaps. That’s a pretty good deal, — better than what the Lakers and Suns offered — but I still like Dallas’ offer more. Finney-Smith and Dinwiddie are better than Kennard and Mann, and that unprotected 2029 first-rounder is a potential jackpot.
So, at the very least, the Nets didn’t mess up the Irving fire sale.
Outlook
This is what Brooklyn’s roster looks like right now;
Bigs: Nic Claxton / Ben Simmons
Wings: Finney-Smith / Royce O’Neale / TJ Warren / Joe Harris / Yuta Watanabe
Guards: Dinwiddie / Seth Curry / Cam Thomas / Patty Mills
Again, expect moves to clear up this bloated roster. Some consolidation is in order. But, the Nets are looking pretty good right now. They’re one of the best teams in the East. Any team with Kevin Durant on it has a fighters chance. With how good Brooklyn’s defense has been, they’re going to be a tough outing in the playoffs.
The Nets did the right thing by trading Irving. That much everybody can agree on. They got better by ending that toxic relationship. But, their future is still up in the air. Kevin Durant will be monitored with a magnifying glass as the whole league hangs on his every word (or tweet).
Make no mistake, the Nets have not put all the drama behind them. But, they made the first step in following Kevin Durant’s mantra;
Grade: A-
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