Column: Why Kyrie Irving is always worth the risk
The Dallas Mavericks did what many teams aren't willing to do in the age of asset hoarding and overthinking in the NBA. Dallas put all its chips into the table for Kyrie Irving. A bonafide superstar. The deal involved sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and […]
The Dallas Mavericks did what many teams aren't willing to do in the age of asset hoarding and overthinking in the NBA.
Dallas put all its chips into the table for Kyrie Irving. A bonafide superstar. The deal involved sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 in exchange for the disgruntled superstar point guard. Dallas is betting the house, and a large portion of its future, on Irving.
Good, the Mavericks should.
The move may give those familiar with Irving's unpredictability trepidation. Irving has played in fewer than 150 games combined over the past four seasons for a host of reasons. He was suspended early in the 2022 season for his tweet linking a documentary deemed antisemitic. The season prior saw Irving miss substantial time because of a vaccination mandate he was unwilling to follow. And before that, he struggled through injury-checkered seasons that rarely saw him available more than 75 percent of the time.
To worry that Dallas gave up too much for a guard with Irving's history is fair. But it's a move Dallas had to make if the organization wanted to prove it was serious about winning again.
How Kyrie Irving fits in Dallas
This season, Irving is averaging 27 points per game in 40 appearances. He's leading the league in fourth-quarter scoring. And in the last five games, Irving is putting up nearly 30 points per game.
Dallas has a legitimate second star now, marking the first time it's had one since Luka Doncic arrived. The fit isn't really a question either. Irving has played off LeBron James, who he won a championship with, and Kevin Durant for large portions of his career.
His game is seamless, as he possesses the ability to play well both on and off the ball.
Irving adds elite talent in a league that is superstar driven. Dallas now has arguably the best two isolation scorers in the league. It also has a versatile offensive big in Christian Wood, who can function as a floor spacer. Yes, in losing Finney-Smith the defense will take a hit. But Dallas wasn't defending at an above-average rate anyway.
Trading for Irving indicates Dallas is leaning into its offensive potency. With two generational talents, and the Western Conference as crowded as it is, that just might be enough.
The move for Irving is a risk. His history could catch up to him and force him to miss substantial time. He could also put together a relatively quiet few months in Dallas and walk for nothing. Or, he and Doncic click and the Mavericks reach a level the organization hasn't seen in years. Either way, once done analyzing the move, trading for Irving is a risk that is worth taking any day of the week.
Future assets have value in theory, Irving brings winning right now.
Related Dallas Mavericks reading
"How the Dallas Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving."
"Despite an injury, Luka Doncic managed to make history — again."
"Luka Doncic boasts a ridiculous Mavericks record."
"Why Luka Doncic's 50-point games are a bad sign for the Dallas Mavericks."
Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
