TITLE: Mavericks reportedly plan to keep Kyrie Irving to aid rookie Cooper Flagg’s development
SLUG: mavericks-keeping-kyrie-irving-to-help-cooper-flagg-grow
CONTENT:
The Dallas Mavericks have little interest in moving Kyrie Irving before the trade deadline because club officials believe the veteran guard is critical to first-year forward Cooper Flagg’s progress, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.
Speaking on “The Ryen Russillo Show,” Mannix said Dallas thinks “Cooper Flagg needs to play next to an elite point guard to develop the right way,” framing Irving as a priority rather than a trade chip.
Flagg, selected No. — in June, has been a bright spot during a difficult 9-16 start. The 18-year-old is averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. Despite his production, the Mavericks sit 11th in the Western Conference.
The team has already made significant changes, dismissing general manager Nico Harrison and, per DallasHoopsJournal’s Ashish Mathur, exploring potential trade scenarios involving Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis. Davis’s sizable contract, however, complicates any deal.
Irving, 31, is recovering from an ACL injury after signing a three-year, $118 million contract in July. He earns $36.6 million this season and is under contract through 2027 unless he opts out of the final year. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.7 points last season.
Asked at media day about a possible return date, Irving declined to give specifics. “For me, it was about going internal,” he said. “I’m trying to be better than where I was.”
Source: Hoops Wire
