NBA teams keeping an eye on Kyrie Irving as Mavericks make major changes

Mavericks and Kyrie Irving: A Shifting Landscape

It looks like other NBA teams are keenly observing the situation surrounding the Mavericks, particularly Kyrie Irving.

Shams Charania, an NBA insider for ESPN, recently spoke on The Pat McAfee Show, revealing that several candidates are paying close attention to Irving’s status after the Mavericks’ decision to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd. This raises some eyebrows about what the team’s management is planning moving forward.

Charania indicated that the Mavericks might be distancing themselves from the era of former owner Mark Cuban. Following the firing of general manager Nico Harrison last November and Luka Doncic’s controversial trade to the Lakers, Kidd’s dismissal this week has left Kyrie as the last significant tie to Cuban’s tenure.

“We’ve seen owner Patrick Dumont kick out most of the personnel associated with Mark Cuban’s administration,” Charania remarked. “Nico Harrison, Jason Kidd—they were all brought in by Cuban. The only one left from that era is Kyrie Irving, who is undeniably a generational talent. In fact, Masai Ujiri expressed a desire to see Kyrie play alongside upcoming star Cooper Flagg.”

Charania continued, emphasizing that numerous teams are indeed monitoring Irving’s future with the Mavericks and that developments could unfold throughout the season, be it in the summer or during active play.

Irving, who is 34, hasn’t seen any court time for Dallas in the 2025-26 season due to a torn left ACL sustained towards the end of the previous season. The hope that he might return midway through the current season fizzled out in February when both the Mavericks and Irving’s representatives confirmed that his season was officially over.

If Irving manages to get back on the court, it could be a transformative moment for the Mavericks. It certainly seems like his future will be an area of focus for rival teams.

His accolades are impressive—Rookie of the Year, nine All-Star selections, and an NBA championship, all of which contribute to his high-profile status in the league.