The Dallas Mavericks have secured a major acquisition, as they have acquired eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade deal. The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news, which comes less than 48 hours after Irving reportedly requested a trade from the Nets.
In exchange for Irving, the Nets will receive Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and multiple draft picks. Irving’s time in Brooklyn comes to an end midway through his fourth season with the franchise, and he now leaves one superstar in Kevin Durant to team up with another in Luka Doncic in Dallas.
The acquisition of Irving adds another talented player to the Mavericks’ roster, and it will certainly boost their chances of competing for a championship in the near future. Irving has proven himself to be one of the most skilled and dynamic playmakers in the league, and he has a wealth of experience playing in high-pressure situations.
For the Nets, the trade represents a retooling of their roster around Durant. Dinwiddie is a talented guard in his own right, and the multiple draft picks they receive will give them the flexibility to add young talent to the roster in the future.
So, how did the Nets and Mavericks fare in this deal? The Sporting News breaks down trade grades for each team below. According to their analysis, the Mavericks receive an “A-” for their acquisition of Irving, while the Nets receive a “B+” for their retooling of the roster and the assets they receive in return.
Mavericks trade grade
The heavy workload of Luka Doncic this season has caused rumors of frustration and discontent with the Dallas Mavericks to intensify. However, the acquisition of Kyrie Irving sends a clear message that the franchise is dedicated to constructing the best possible team around Doncic.
Scott Rafferty of The Sporting News has explained why Irving will complement Doncic well in Dallas. The move to acquire Irving solidifies the Mavericks’ commitment to creating a winning environment for their star player, Doncic, and underscores their determination to compete at the highest level.
The addition of Irving, an eight-time All-Star, to the Mavericks’ roster gives them a significant boost in their bid for a championship. With Irving’s playmaking skills and Doncic’s all-around talent, the Mavericks have the potential to become a dominant force in the league. The future looks bright for the Mavericks, and fans can look forward to watching the team make a strong push for a championship in the upcoming seasons.
Kyrie Irving, who turns 31 in March, is having a remarkable season, with averages of 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game through his first 40 games with Brooklyn. This impressive performance earned him a spot as an All-Star starter.
Doncic and Irving would form a similar one-two punch as Irving did with LeBron James when they were teammates in Cleveland. Irving is a good enough shooter to play off of someone like Doncic, and his ability to create his shot against practically anyone would help take some of the playmaking burden off of Doncic’s shoulders.
The Mavericks have now secured the best teammate Doncic has ever had with the acquisition of Irving. With a talented and deep roster, the Mavericks have separated themselves from the middle of the pack and are now among the top contenders in the Western Conference.
However, there are concerns surrounding Irving, who has a history of trade requests and an unceremonious exit from Boston. His most recent request was due to the lack of a long-term commitment from the Nets.
Despite his young age, Irving’s injury history is one of the factors that caused the Mavericks to think twice about their commitment to him. No new contract has been promised and Irving’s representation and the Mavericks will discuss their options at the end of the season. He is eligible for a two-year $83 million extension now and a four-year deal in the summer.
The main factor that keeps this trade from being a perfect success is the uncertainty beyond this year. The outcome of the ongoing contract negotiations will play a significant role in determining the success of this trade for the Mavericks.
Grade: B+
Nets trade grade
The Nets have successfully acquired their priorities, Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith, in the trade for Irving. They now have more draft capital in the form of second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 and a first-round pick in 2029, which could be valuable in the future.
The focus now shifts to the future of the Nets without Irving. The question arises if Durant will still want to remain in Brooklyn after Irving’s departure. Although Durant had requested a trade last summer, it eventually smoothed over. However, the question remains if Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith are enough to keep the team among the top four in the East and if Durant will want to move on again.
The Nets’ management may have considered all options while executing this deal, but if Durant is considering leaving again, perhaps the Nets would have been better off pushing for one more piece, such as young player Josh Green or Jaden Hardy.
Grade: B-
