Amid a 4-11 start to the 2025-26 NBA season, many are wondering if the Dallas Mavericks lost the Luka Doncic trade, even if they ended up drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

So when a viral mock trade sent Kyrie Irving to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney Smith and a 2029 first round pick, many wondered how the longtime Mavericks decision maker would feel about it.

After the Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison, there has been speculation on what the team will do with stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. As the trade rumors swirl around key Mavericks pieces like Davis and Irving, the latest reporting suggests how that will be viewed within the franchise.

With the Mavericks struggling early and trade chatter rising, league insiders increasingly view moving Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving as Dallas’ most viable long-term path.

The Dallas Mavericks are in a tough spot when it comes to Kyrie Irving and his recovery from his ACL tear, and they may be better off sitting him for the rest of the year rather than bringing him back to avoid re-injury and improve lottery odds.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/nets/onsi as Could Former Nets Teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Reunite in Houston?. Could Former Nets Teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Reunite in Houston?