The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason plans have sparked a heated debate among fans, and it’s not just about who they’ll draft or sign in free agency. The elephant in the room is Kyrie Irving, who’s recovering from a torn ACL. Should the Mavs trade him for draft picks or keep him as a veteran leader for Cooper Flagg’s development?

The Case For Trading Kyrie Irving

Some fans, like mvossman, think it’s time to cut ties with Kyrie.

“I don’t think adding Kyrie to the mix is going to move the needle much on his value and would rather get whatever we can for him this summer before he becomes a negative asset.”

The concern is that Kyrie’s injury and age (he’ll be 32 next season) might decrease his trade value. mvossman suggests that the Mavs might not get a great return, but it’s better to get something now rather than risk losing him for nothing in the future.

Mavs2021 proposes a potential trade scenario:

“MLE + two 1st round picks. I think the final roster configuration will heavily depend on the 1st round picks and the Mavs expect to take a guard (Wagler/Brown/Philon/Mullins).”

This would give the Mavs a chance to rebuild through the draft and add young talent to their roster.

The Case Against Trading Kyrie Irving

On the other hand, some fans believe that Kyrie’s experience and leadership could be invaluable for Cooper Flagg’s development. RoyTarpleysGhost makes a strong point:

“The Mavs are one of the worst teams in the league. Gafford is the only functional center on the roster. All this talk of trading him because he is not the ideal starting Center on a championship team is about 4-5 years premature.”

Similarly, keeping Kyrie could provide stability and mentorship for the young players. cow even suggests that Kyrie could help rebuild Ja Morant’s value:

“I wonder what those picks are? Surely not Memphis first rounders. And could I talk myself into a Morant reclamation project? He’s hurt. Could that elbow injury be parlayed into a season ending injury? Could Kyrie be a positive influence to help rebuild his value and then trade him next TDL or the following offseason?”

The Verdict

As a Mavs fan myself, I think it’s time to face the music: Kyrie Irving is 31 years old, and his ACL injury is a significant concern. While I love the idea of him being a veteran leader, I think the Mavs need to prioritize building a sustainable team through the draft.

The Mavs have a great opportunity to rebuild with young talent, and Cooper Flagg is a key part of that plan. Trading Kyrie for draft picks might not be the most exciting move, but it’s the right one. The Mavs can’t afford to hold onto a injured player who’s only going to get older and more expensive.

That being said, I do think Kyrie could be a great influence on the team, and I’d love to see him back on the court. But if the Mavs can get a good return for him, I think it’s time to make a move.

So, Mavs fans, what do you think? Should the Mavs trade Kyrie Irving or keep him as a veteran leader? The debate rages on!

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