Mavericks trade prediction sends Kyrie Irving to Timberwolves for $100M ex-Laker, 3-time All-Star

The Dallas Mavericks are still trying to determine the direction they want to take with their roster and future under new management. The team has missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

One major decision has already been made, as Dallas moved on from head coach Jason Kidd. Kidd was fired, and the Mavericks will now begin their search for a new head coach.

“Jason Kidd is out as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks after five seasons in what the team described as a mutual decision Tuesday evening. Kidd has four years and more than $40 million remaining on his contract, sources told ESPN. But Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, who extended Kidd's contract during Dallas' NBA Finals run in 2024 and again before last season after they declined the New York Knicks' request to interview him, gave new president Masai Ujiri full authorization to determine the coach's future with the franchise,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.

The next major question surrounding the franchise is the future of Kyrie Irving. For now, he is expected to remain in Dallas under the team's new leadership.

“Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz have both stated they foresee Irving staying, as they think he and Cooper Flagg can be good fits alongside each other. However, Irving is 34 years old and is coming off an ACL injury. By the time he takes the floor in October, it will have been 19 months since he played in an NBA game,” SI’s Austin Veazey wrote. “Kyrie Irving also wants to be in Dallas. He feels comfortable with the city, which is not something you can say for every other stop he has made in his career.”

However, there is still a possibility that the Mavericks could trade Irving. One proposed trade idea would send him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

“Any trade between the Mavericks and Timberwolves for Kyrie Irving would almost have to include Julius Randle to make the salary work. The trade I came up with was Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his Achilles tendon and will likely miss the entire 2026-27 season, for Irving and AJ Johnson,” Veazey wrote.

The trade would give both the Mavericks and Timberwolves experienced veteran talent. Irving would have the opportunity to play alongside another elite guard in Anthony Edwards, creating one of the league's most dynamic backcourts.

Randle is playing on a $100 million contract with Minnesota and holds a player option for next season. Acquiring him would add another frontcourt player to Dallas' roster, likely forcing the Mavericks to make another move elsewhere. Overall, the deal could benefit both organizations by allowing each franchise to move in the direction it believes is best for its future.

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