Nearly 17 months after tearing his ACL against the Sacramento Kings in March 2025, Kyrie Irving appears to be moving well again, according to Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. – but that hasn't stopped trade speculation from swirling around the 34-year-old as the new season approaches.
Porter's Eyewitness Account
Speaking on the 'Curious Mike' podcast with Lonzo Ball, Porter said he recently worked out with Irving and was impressed by how the eight-time All-Star looked coming off the injury.
"I was hooping with him yesterday, and this is off of his ACL. That dude was so cold, bro. I couldn't believe how he was moving out there," Porter said, according to Sports Illustrated. "And he was getting to the lane, there's all [seven]-footers in there, and he somehow was with the left. Bro, it was nutty. It was crazy."
Porter's assessment carries weight, given he is a former NBA champion and a player who has watched Irving up close during offseason workouts. For fans who have not seen Irving play in nearly a year and a half, the report offers a glimmer of hope that he will return to the explosive style that made him one of the league's most exciting players.
Irving, who turns 34 next season, has relied on his quickness and handle throughout his career. Questions about whether that burst will still be there after an ACL tear have been a recurring theme. But Porter's report, as noted by Sports Illustrated, suggests Irving can still get to the lane and finish around taller defenders.
Mavericks' Stance on a Potential Trade
Despite the positive recovery reports, the rumor mill has not slowed. Marc Stein, a former Mavericks beat writer now with 'with The Stein Line', reported that rival teams continue to "wonder aloud" about how firmly Dallas will stick to its stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 approaches.
Heavy. cites Stein's reporting that the Mavericks aren't going to place Irving on the trade block; they have "consistently swatted away" inquiries about their star. However, Stein notes that rival teams remain skeptical that this position will hold long-term, suggesting that if the Mavericks started the season poorly, they could revisit the situation.
Irving's contract has two years remaining: $39.5 million this season and a player option for $42.4 million next season. That structure makes him a valuable asset for a team looking to add immediate scoring while keeping flexibility. Heavy. points out that Dallas lacks playmaking and values Irving's veteran experience, which could make him more a part of the future than some have speculated.
But Heavy. also emphasizes that Irving is among a long list of veterans who might be trade candidates due to changed tanking rules, which have made it smart for teams to hold veterans for the early season and then flip them at the deadline. With the Mavericks expected to be just outside the Play-In Tournament picture, the calculation of when—and if—to trade Irving becomes more complicated.
The departure of assistant coach Phil Handy to the Philadelphia 76ers has been cited as one motive for renewed discussion about Irving's future.
Cooper Flagg and the Future
Much of the speculation about Irving's future in Dallas ties into the presence of rookie center Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick. Both outlets discussed the possibility of Irving pairing with Flagg, who is seen as the franchise's cornerstone.
Sports Illustrated notes that Flagg found success with the ball in his hands as the season progressed, which could raise questions about how he and Irving share playmaking duties. However, seeing Flagg with a dynamic superstar guard is intriguing, and if the Mavs aren't going to make a run this year, the temptation to trade Irving for future assets could grow.
Heavy. writes that the Mavericks could get great value from Irving, especially if he returns and shows he's still an All-Star caliber player. But the team's expected position outside the play-in field could make them realistic about what they can achieve this season.
Management of Irving's Return
Given Irving's heavy playing time before his injury, the Mavericks are likely to manage his workload carefully. Sports Illustrated reports that the team may decide to sit him in back-to-backs, unless the season matters and they're in the playoff race. That caution is a departure from last season when the increase in minutes may have contributed to the injury, though Head Coach Jason Kidd at the time denied that the heavier usage was a factor.
Irving is now set to be ready to begin the 2026-27 NBA season with the Mavericks, according to the same report. His return to the floor will be watched by fans and rival teams alike, with his play both a narrative about his recovery and a potential driver of trade chatter However, the Mavericks' decision to keep him or possibly trade him by the trade deadline if they're not playing well is the ongoing storyline for the season.
Perspectives
Neither Heavy nor Sports Illustrated express a formal "for" or "against" about trading Irving. Each outlet presents both the Mavericks' stated intention and the external speculation. Let me decide that there are two distinct named viewpoints: the Mavericks' front office (as represented by Marc Stein's sources) and the rival teams' perspective. Both are clearly identified in the material.
- Front Office Stance: The Mavericks' front office has "consistently swatted away" trade inquiries and is committed to keeping Irving, as reported by Marc Stein.
- Rival Teams' View: Rival teams continue to " wonder aloud" about how long that stance will last, probably because of Irving's age, injury history, and contract situation.