What happened: As the NBA offseason begins, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly informing rival teams that star guard Kyrie Irving is not available for trade. Despite the team's 26-56 finish and a second straight year without postseason action, the front office is prioritizing Irving's veteran leadership for the upcoming season.

Why it matters: The organization aims to pair Irving with rookie standout Cooper Flagg, viewing the 34-year-old as a critical mentor for their young core. A report from last month floated a potential move to the Eastern Conference, but Dallas appears intent on seeing Irving return from the ACL injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 campaign.

What to watch: League observers will monitor the Mavericks' activity during the June 23 NBA Draft for further signs of their roster-building strategy around Flagg and Irving.