NBA Trade Rumors: Mavericks Tag $118 Million Guard as Sole Untouchable Player As Rebuild Buzz with Cooper Flagg Intensifies

NBA: Preseason-Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks - Source: Imagn
NBA Trade Rumors: Mavericks Tag $118 Million Guard as Sole Untouchable Player As Rebuild Buzz with Cooper Flagg Intensifies. [photo: Imagn]

The Dallas Mavericks’ 4-12 start has prompted basketball fans to urge the team’s front office to blow up the roster and build around Cooper Flagg. To jumpstart the reset, many are asking team governor Patrick Dumont to trade injured veterans Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. While health will be a big issue for both, they could help haul valuable draft capital for a rebuild.

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On Thursday, multiple reports came out that the Mavs are open to trading Davis. While he could be the first domino to fall, Irving could be safe in a potential reboot.

NBA analyst Evan Sidery jumped in on NBA insider Shams Charania on the latest from Dallas:

“The Mavericks have no interest in trading Kyrie Irving, who they view as a strong fit long-term alongside Cooper Flagg, per @ShamsCharania.
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“Teams are engaging Dallas on Irving expecting a full rebuild attempt, but they view him as a piece to their future.”
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Kyrie Irving, who signed a three-year, $118.4 million contract with the Mavericks in July 2025, is out with a torn ACL. Reports surfaced before training camp started that the nine-time All-Star is targeting a return in January or February. Unless the Mavs can turn their season around by December, the team might decide to shut down Irving.

While Kyrie Irving’s return is uncertain, he has been a staple in practices. Since training camp, viral clips of the 2016 NBA champ working out Cooper Flagg have emerged. The two former Duke superstars have seemingly developed a close relationship already. Many are looking at Irving as Flagg’s mentor.

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Unloading Anthony Davis to build around Cooper Flagg will not be easy, per NBA insider

Injuries continue to hound Anthony Davis. The oft-injured big man has played in just 14 out of 35 games since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic for him in February. A groin injury limited him to nine games last season. This time, a calf strain has allowed him to play just five games.

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Shams Charania reported on a key issue that could prevent the Mavericks from trading Davis to build around Cooper Flagg:

“Sources have told ESPN that the Mavericks will be listening to trade calls for Anthony Davis and seeing and his exploring his value. And for that, health will be the biggest key.”

Davis remains out until Patrick Dumont reportedly gets medical assurance that playing through a calf issue will not result in a more serious injury for AD. The former Laker, who has not played since late October, was ready to return last week until Dumont kept him out.

Mavericks Fan? Check out the latest Dallas Mavericks depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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