Mavericks Keep Kyrie Irving For Now After Anthony Davis Trade

Merlin sees Dallas is not shopping Kyrie Irving after trading Anthony Davis to Washington, per Christian Clark of The Athletic. A team source said "Dallas can go into next season with a core of Flagg, Irving, Dereck Lively II, Christie, Naji Marshall." Irving has not played while rehabbing a torn left ACL and turns 34 in March, so Dallas plans to evaluate him alongside rookie Cooper Flagg before making any move. Merlin notes the pieces acquired in the Davis trade give Dallas more flexibility and draft capital. Irving’s Mavericks numbers, 25.5 points and 5.1 assists with 49/40.4/91.7 shooting, show he can still be a creator if healthy. The real question is how his recovery blends with Flagg’s growth, and that will steer Dallas’ choice.