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.
By the numbers: Dallas finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record, missing the postseason for the second consecutive year. Irving is scheduled to earn $39.5 million in the 2026-27 season.
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.