Mavericks Explore Trading Kyrie Irving to Bucks for Draft Pick, Players

Proposed deal would net Dallas young talent and veteran leadership in exchange for aging star

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:06am

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The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly considering trading veteran guard Kyrie Irving to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the Bucks' 2023 first-round draft pick, young guard Ryan Rollins, and veteran forwards Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma. The deal would allow the Mavericks to acquire promising young talent and experienced role players while moving on from the 34-year-old Irving, who has an extensive injury history.

Why it matters

This potential trade would be a bold move by the Mavericks to reshape their roster around rising star Cooper Flagg. By acquiring multiple assets, including a high draft pick, the Mavericks could set themselves up for long-term success, especially with their own first-round picks limited until 2031.

The details

The proposed trade would send Irving to the Bucks in exchange for Milwaukee's 2023 first-round pick (No. 10 overall), Rollins, Portis, and Kuzma. Rollins, 23, is having a breakout season and is in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Portis and Kuzma are veteran forwards who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

  • The Mavericks' final game of the 2026-27 regular season is on April 12 against the Chicago Bulls.

The players

Kyrie Irving

A 34-year-old veteran guard who has struggled with injuries throughout his career but is still a talented scorer and playmaker.

Cooper Flagg

A rising young star for the Mavericks who the team hopes to build around in the future.

Ryan Rollins

A 23-year-old guard for the Bucks who is having a breakout season and is in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

Bobby Portis

A veteran forward who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

Kyle Kuzma

A veteran forward who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and has been an above-average player throughout his career.

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What they’re saying

“For as much as the Mavericks might want to see how Cooper Flagg would look with a healthy Irving, they should be more eager for the opportunity to add potential long-term building blocks.”

— Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report Writer

“Adding a second top-10 pick in a class as celebrated as this could be enormous, and that's before factoring in what the future might hold for (Ryan) Rollins, a 23-year-old in the thick of the Most Improved Player race.”

— Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Mavericks will evaluate their roster and potential trades after their final regular season game on April 12 against the Chicago Bulls.

The takeaway

This proposed trade would be a bold move by the Mavericks to reshape their roster around rising star Cooper Flagg, allowing them to acquire promising young talent and experienced role players while moving on from the aging and injury-prone Kyrie Irving.