The NBA is a star-driven league. The general managers know it. Every GM is looking to land a star. Once they land one, they’re looking to land another. Every team is looking to maximize the star power on their roster.
With that said, it’s preferable to put the right stars together. Sometimes, a star duo just doesn’t work out. The Dallas Mavericks are hoping that isn’t the case for them this season. They need Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to develop some chemistry. What if they can’t?
Could the Mavericks look to trade Irving for another star? That won’t be easy. Irving’s volatile behavior over the years has likely impacted his trade value. The Mavericks would need to find another star who doubles as a depreciated asset. How about Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
How does a star player’s value depreciate? It’s a star-driven league, right? Shouldn’t talent supersede everything else? In theory, sure. In practice, it’s a little more complicated. A wide range of factors can hurt a player’s trade value.
With Irving, it’s personal. His refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine hurt his value. Then, some inflammatory comments about a certain documentary hurt his value more. By now, Irving doesn’t have the value on the open market that a player with his talents otherwise may.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
What about Towns? He’s a standup citizen. Unfortunately, his issues stem from basketball. Specifically, Towns is a poor defender. This isn’t an easy player to build around. Should the Mavericks take a gamble on him anyway?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Mavericks won’t want to make this deal if they’re playing well leading up to the deadline. There’s no reason to tend to Towns’ weak defense if Dallas is rolling. Alternatively, let’s assume that they’re not playing well enough. In all likelihood, that will point to chemistry issues between Doncic and Irving.
In that event, Dallas may be forced to look elsewhere. Again – if they’re trading a flawed superstar, they’ll need to move him for another flawed superstar. Towns fits that description. Moreover, he could actually make them a better team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Will Dallas’ defense suffer? You bet. Doncic isn’t a stopper by any means in his own right. At the same time, this offensive dynamic should be lethal. The Mavericks would be pairing one of the best playmakers in the NBA with one of the best offensive big men in history. Dallas could simple plan to outscore teams, and probably have a lot of success doing it. Should Minnesota give them that opportunity?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
If Irving wasn’t so potentially volatile, we’d say this was a no-brainer for the Wolves. It gives them a more balanced roster. Realistically, the Wolves showed Towns the door from the moment they traded for Rudy Gobert. He and Towns are not a good fit on paper, and last year, they didn’t look like one in practice, either.
Following this deal, the Wolves wouldn’t have to worry about that. Gobert would share the frontcourt with Jaden McDaniels, who ought to be the backbone of an elite defense. Meanwhile, Irving would join Anthony Edwards to carry this team’s offense. All told, this deal ought to make the Timberwolves a better team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Provided that Irving doesn’t get suspended, of course. Perhaps that’s unfair. By all accounts, Irving is looking for his permanent NBA home. The Mavericks will still hope that he finds it in Dallas – volatile or not, Irving is a star talent.
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