Throughout NBA history, we’ve seen some dynamic duos find a lot of success. Any team’s goal is to find their franchise player. Next, the idea is to find them a suitable co-star.
The Dallas Mavericks have their franchise player. Luka Doncic is among the most talented players in the NBA. With that said, he hasn’t found as much success alongside Kyrie Irving as the Mavericks had hoped in 2023-24.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs just landed their franchise player. Victor Wembanyama looks like a gamer changer, and he’s still a rookie. The Spurs will seek how co-star next. Could it be Irving?
NBA Trade Proposal
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson, G/F Cedi Osman, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Kyrie Irving
Some players are clearly franchise-caliber. Others fall distinctly short of that mark. Even then, some players fall somewhere between those extremes.
Look at Irving. He served LeBron James well as a second option on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eventually, Irving would force his way out of town. By all accounts, he wanted “his own team.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Irving never found a team that was decidedly his. Now, he’s back next to a jumbo playmaker as a second option. Irving is one of the most talented basketball players we’ve ever seen, but he still doesn’t quite pass the test as a franchise player. Should the Spurs pair him with Wembanyama?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
There are concerns about Irving that extend off of the court. He’s a potentially volatile personality. Often, the Spurs avoid such players. Should they make an exception here?
They’d have to consider it. The Spurs would be making a massive talent upgrade here. With Irving on the roster, they should be a playoff team. Wembanyama has been developing rapidly as a rookie – by next year, he could easily be a top-10 player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Meanwhile, the Spurs can afford to lose Johnson. Devin Vassell plays a very similar role. The Spurs could take a major step forward with this deal. Should the Mavericks help them take that step?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
If the Mavericks decide to move Irving this summer, they’ll have to thread a difficult needle. They can’t afford to simply offload Irving for draft capital. The Mavericks need to stay relevant or they’ll run the risk of a Doncic trade request.
This deal aims to thread that needle. Johnson is a very good player. He may also be a better complement for Doncic. Johnson is a shot creator who’s comfortable off the ball, and a better defender than Irving.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Yet, Irving is the best player in this deal. So, we’ve got the Mavericks picking up an unprotected first in this deal as well. That could help them build around their new star duo.
