Overview
- Kyrie Irving made his first game action since a March 2025 ACL tear on Sunday in Macao, scoring 17 points in 22 minutes in a preseason win.
- Cooper Flagg reinforced his status as the franchise cornerstone with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists across two China appearances and entering the season as last year’s Rookie of the Year.
- Team president Masai Ujiri has publicly stated the Mavericks plan to keep Irving and Flagg paired for this season as the front office evaluates roster construction.
- League executives and reporters say rival teams are monitoring Irving as a potential trade asset ahead of the February trade deadline if Dallas changes course.
- Analysts warn the Mavericks still have clear roster gaps—particularly guard depth and a 15-year age split between Irving and Flagg—that could limit short-term playoff odds even as the franchise leans into Flagg’s long-term growth.