The Dallas Mavericks are staring down a huge decision about their veteran star, and it is all thanks to their new franchise cornerstone, Cooper Flagg. With Flagg now officially the face of the team, Kyrie Irving’s future in Dallas is seriously up in the air. NBA Insiders Tim MacMahon and Marc J. Spears just laid out all the uncertainties, and Mavericks fans better pay attention.
Flagg’s Emergence Changes Everything For the Mavs
Listen, everyone knew Cooper Flagg was legit, but the 2025-26 season proved the hype was *real*. The kid played 70 games and dropped 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on average. He snatched up the Rookie of the Year award, too. At 6-foot-9, he absolutely showed he is the Mavericks’ long-term cornerstone. But here is the thing: as amazing as Flagg is, his emergence does not magically make Dallas title contenders overnight. They know who to build around now, sure, but they are still years and multiple pieces away from being a real threat for a championship. That is a massive problem for Kyrie Irving. At 34 years old, he cannot afford to wait around for Flagg to become a bona fide superstar or for the Mavericks to find the right squad to put around him. Their timelines are completely out of sync, and league insiders are noticing.
The Entire League Is Watching Dallas Right Now
Tim MacMahon, one of the best in the business, believes teams across the league are already keeping a very close eye on this situation. He went on “NBA Today” Monday and flat out said Irving is still the team’s veteran leader. But then he hit everyone with the real question being asked all over: “for how long?” He is not saying there is bad blood between Kyrie and the Mavs; it is simply that Flagg is the centerpiece now. MacMahon then asked the biggest question, “Would it make sense for both sides to find a contender for Kyrie to go to?” He wrapped it up by stating these are exactly the kind of things “people around the league will be monitoring leading up to the trade deadline.” Marc J. Spears added that if they do decide to part ways, it would be an amicable split. He credits the strong relationship between Irving and Mavericks president Masai Ujiri for that potential outcome. Spears highlighted that kind of relationship where if Kyrie says “hey Masai, like this isn’t for me,” they could work together to get something done.
Kyrie’s Value and the Road Ahead
It is easy to forget, but Kyrie has not even played a game since March 2025. He tore his ACL near the end of the 2024-25 season, which kept him sidelined for all of last season. He is expected back this upcoming season, though no official return schedule has been announced yet. When the nine-time All-Star does return, there is no doubt he elevates the Mavericks. He is one of the most prolific offensive weapons in the league, a guy who can absolutely take defensive pressure off Flagg. With Irving running the point, the Mavericks would have someone to steady the ship through tough stretches. But staying in Dallas could mean sacrificing his chance to compete for a title elsewhere. What happens next? Everyone is just waiting to see.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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