Mavericks Urged to Unite Lottery Talents Cooper Flagg and Scoot Henderson

A potential Kyrie Irving trade could help the Mavericks acquire the former No. 3 overall pick

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:28am

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The Dallas Mavericks could look to continue building for the future by acquiring former No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson from the Portland Trail Blazers, potentially in a deal involving Kyrie Irving. Henderson, an athletic point guard, has shown flashes of potential despite an injury-plagued start to his NBA career. Pairing him with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg could give the Mavericks an exciting young core to build around.

Why it matters

The Mavericks are in a transition period, having drafted Flagg as a potential franchise cornerstone. Acquiring another high-upside prospect like Henderson could accelerate their rebuild and provide the team with a dynamic backcourt duo to build around for the long term.

The details

Henderson, who was selected 3rd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his first three seasons with the Trail Blazers. However, he's shown glimpses of his immense potential, with his scoring and efficiency numbers improving in recent games. A trade involving Kyrie Irving could provide the Mavericks with an opportunity to acquire Henderson and pair him with Flagg, creating an exciting young core for the future.

  • Henderson was selected 3rd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
  • Henderson missed the first 51 games of the 2025-26 season with a torn hamstring.
  • Henderson has averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds since returning to the Trail Blazers' lineup on February 6, 2026.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A rookie sensation who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and is seen as a potential franchise cornerstone.

Scoot Henderson

The former 3rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his first three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kyrie Irving

A veteran NBA player who could potentially be involved in a trade that would send Scoot Henderson to the Dallas Mavericks.

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What they’re saying

“Teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks could emerge as suitors if they continue to rebuild and explore trades for Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving.”

— Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Mavericks will likely explore trade options this offseason, including a potential deal involving Kyrie Irving that could bring Scoot Henderson to Dallas.

The takeaway

The Mavericks have a chance to build an exciting young core by acquiring Scoot Henderson to pair with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, potentially through a trade involving veteran Kyrie Irving. This move could accelerate the team's rebuild and provide them with a dynamic backcourt duo to build around for the long term.