Overview

• Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear in March is expected to sideline him until January 2026, creating an urgent point guard gap for the 2025-26 season.
• Dallas is exploring trade pathways to acquire Boston’s Jrue Holiday despite the challenge of his three remaining years and $104 million on his contract.
• Lonzo Ball is viewed as a more feasible trade target due to his manageable two-year, $20 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
• The Mavericks are also weighing veteran free-agent options such as Chris Paul, leveraging the taxpayer midlevel exception or veteran’s minimum.
• Operating as an apron team after adding No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg and planning a lucrative extension for Irving has tightened Dallas’s cap flexibility.