3 Landing Spots for Blockbuster Kyrie Irving Trade as Mavs Hand Keys to Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks have all but confirmed that they'll be entering rebuild mode, and Kyrie Irving could be left out of those long-term plans. Though the nine-time All-Star helped the team reach the NBA Finals just two years ago, Irving now sticks out like a sore thumb on a roster that is clearly bannered by top draft pick Cooper Flagg.

Though Irving's career has been stalled by a major Achilles injury, he still has a lot to offer when he eventually gets back on the court. There are a number of teams in the NBA that could form interesting combinations with the 33-year-old guard, and these teams happen to have draft capital that the Mavericks sorely need for their rebuild.

3 landing spots for blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade

#3 Orlando Magic

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic - Source: Imagn

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In the offseason, the Magic swung a trade for Desmond Bane to beef up their roster on both ends of the floor. Thus far, however, Orlando is 19th in offensive rating. This young Magic team could use a prolific scorer and playmaker who has won it all, and the one-time NBA champion Irving fits that description. The Magic have a handful of first-round picks that Dallas could target, so both parties could benefit here.

#2 Houston Rockets

NBA: Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies - Source: Imagn

The Rockets suffered a huge blow when Fred VanVleet went down with an ACL injury in the offseason. To address this, Houston could go after Irving, who would be around nine months removed from surgery by late December. A chance for Irving and former Brooklyn Nets teammate Kevin Durant to run it back might be worth some first-round picks over the next few years.

#1 LA Lakers

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn

Durant is not the only ex-teammate that has been linked with Irving. Over the years, rumors of Irving reuniting with fellow 2016 champion LeBron James have been making their rounds across the league. As it so happens, Austin Reaves has also been the subject of trade rumors, particularly now that Luka Doncic is the undisputed playmaker of the future in Tinseltown. A trade that allows Irving to rejoin not only James but also his "hermano" Doncic would truly be blockbuster.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado