The Dallas Mavericks, once brimming with hope at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, now find themselves in the throes of uncertainty, trade rumors, and a rapidly shifting team identity. With a 5-15 record as of November 29, 2025, and sitting 14th in the Western Conference, the Mavericks are grappling with injuries, a major front-office shakeup, and the future of their two biggest stars: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
Just months ago, the Mavericks made a blockbuster move by acquiring Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Luka Dončić, hoping Davis would anchor their defense and elevate them into championship contention. But fate had other plans. Davis, now 32 and turning 33 in March, has played in just five games this season due to a nagging left calf injury, and his overall availability has begun to mirror the frustrating inconsistency of Joel Embiid’s career. Since arriving in Dallas, Davis has appeared in only 14 games, and his injury woes have become a focal point for both fans and the front office.
Davis’ on-court production, when he’s played, has remained solid. He’s averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 52.0% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc, and 74.2% at the line. Despite those numbers, his $54.1 million salary this season (with $58.5 million guaranteed next year and a looming contract extension request) and his injury history have made him a tricky trade asset. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, “Trading AD is a real possibility—and I would even say likelihood—this season. Trading Kyrie is not something that’s on the Mavericks’ priority list, or it’s just straight up not something that they are interested in doing right now.”
The Mavericks’ front office, recently restructured after the firing of GM Nico Harrison, is expected to be aggressive at the trade deadline in February 2026. However, the market for Davis is limited. Teams like Chicago, Golden State, New York, and Phoenix have been mentioned in rumors, but financial hurdles and Davis’ age and health concerns make a deal challenging. For example, any potential swap with Golden State would require the Warriors to send back either Jimmy Butler or a complicated package centered on Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga, a scenario that appears unlikely to satisfy both sides.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving’s name has also surfaced in trade chatter, but Mavericks brass have been quick to shut down any speculation. As MacMahon emphasized on his “Howdy Partners” podcast, “The Mavericks do not want to trade him... Trading Kyrie is not something that’s on the Mavericks’ priority list, or it’s just straight up not something that they are interested in doing right now.” This sentiment has been echoed by NBA insiders and reinforced by the Mavericks’ actions following the departure of Harrison. Irving, who suffered a torn ACL in March 2025, is still in recovery, with positive reports suggesting a possible return as early as January 2026—though the timeline remains fluid. There’s even consideration that, should the Mavericks continue to struggle, Irving might rest the remainder of the season to prioritize his long-term health and maximize Dallas’s odds in the 2026 NBA draft, widely regarded as one of the strongest in years.
Irving, who signed a three-year, $118 million contract in July and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 by declining his $42.4 million player option, remains a central figure in Dallas’s plans. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game last season, shooting an impressive 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three, and 91.6% at the line. His leadership and championship pedigree are seen as invaluable assets, especially as the Mavericks pivot toward building around their young core.
The team’s future is now firmly tied to rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the top overall pick from Duke University, who is quickly emerging as a cornerstone for the franchise. Flagg’s development, alongside promising young talents like Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington (who recently signed an extension and is ineligible for trade), and Max Christie, is at the heart of Dallas’s new direction. NBA insider Brett Siegel highlighted this shift, noting, “Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, and Kyrie Irving won’t be traded this season. Washington just signed an extension in the offseason, making him ineligible for a trade, and Flagg is the player this organization views as its cornerstone for many years to come.”
The Mavericks’ approach mirrors the recent playbook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who successfully rebuilt by trading aging stars for young prospects and draft capital. With Dallas not owning their own first-round picks until 2031, this season represents their best—and perhaps only—chance to land another top-tier prospect to pair with Flagg and Irving. If the losing continues and the playoffs slip further from reach, tanking could become a strategic necessity, making the decision to keep Irving sidelined even more logical.
Despite the chaos, Irving’s presence has provided stability and hope for the Mavericks’ faithful. He’s become a beloved figure in Dallas, especially after the emotional departure of Luka Dončić. As one report put it, “Irving was the one voice of reason within the organization following the grueling trade of Luka Dončić, and fans have clung closely to him ever since. Kyrie Irving has quietly solidified himself as a Mavericks legend in a short amount of time, and fans’ worries about him being traded are gone. For now.”
As for Anthony Davis, the next two months will be crucial. If he can return to form and stay healthy, his trade value could rise, giving the Mavericks more flexibility to shape their roster around Flagg and Irving. But if injuries persist, Dallas may be forced to accept a less favorable return or even consider holding onto Davis through the end of the season.
Heading into the winter, the Mavericks are at a crossroads. Their record reflects a team in transition, but their commitment to building around youth and the steady leadership of Kyrie Irving offers a glimmer of hope. With the trade deadline looming and the fate of Anthony Davis hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Dallas to see how they’ll navigate this pivotal stretch—and whether a new era can emerge from the current uncertainty.
