It was a scene that’s still imprinted on the Dallas Mavericks’ fandom’s minds. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Kyrie Irving stood ball in hand, ready for his free throws as the arena reverberated with cheers. For it was not a moment of just encouragement, but also acknowledging the courage the veteran had shown in that moment. As the Mavericks ultimately lost 122-98 to the Sacramento Kings in early March, coach Jason Kidd had hoped after the game, “I hope that he’s healthy, that it’s not serious.” Unfortunately, life had a cruel joke ready.

That same month, the 33-year-old underwent surgery for what was a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Now stuck with recovery, the veteran is reportedly slated to miss next season, painfully looking toward a January 2026 comeback—detrimental not just for him, but his team, too. But, the Mavs just got a sliver of hope aka the NBA Draft Lottery, making them prime candidates to pick Duke’s Cooper Flagg and initiate a rebuild. But will they? And, most importantly, is Nico Harrison going to find an Irving replacement soon with the latter’s three-year contract expiring this coming season?

This is where the Grizzlies’ $193 million star Ja Morant comes in. But how realistic is that plan? On the Locked On Mavericks podcast aired June 15, host Isaac Harris clarified something important. “It feels like on paper he is a Nico target. But I think it’s just like they’re committed to Kyrie. And I think they’re ready to commit long-term to Kyrie, or at least a three-year deal or something like that. So I don’t see a world of Kyrie and Ja together. I just don’t see any path for Dallas to entertain it.” However…

“If Kyrie went elsewhere…[or he] was a different position or something…I would then be like, ‘Dude, Nico would be jumping all over it, right?’ for kind of the same reasons…[Ja Morant] has a really high ceiling, but kind of rocky the past few years,” Harris further said. But the issue is Ja Morant’s trade value is a complete mystery box. Four or five firsts seem believable. One and a half picks plus a few players? Also on the table. That’s the twist—his worth swings wildly, and no outcome feels too absurd. This prompted Harris to add, “I don’t know what Ja Morant’s trade value is around the league, so I just don’t think it works in Dallas.” 

ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes Kyrie Irving should sign a three-year, $113 million deal—a win for both sides. It trims his 2024–25 salary to $35 million, $8 million less than his $43 million option, unlocking Dallas’ $5.7 million midlevel exception. Though recovering from an ACL tear, he’d still pocket $70 million in new money. And yes, Nico’s betting big—championship big. However, if Kai chooses to go elsewhere, which, of course, neither the franchise nor the fans would like to see, then the plot may shift.

But trades don’t live in silence—they echo across the conference. And this one? It’s shaking walls. Because if Kyrie stays, Ja won’t fit. But if he walks? Boom. The West reshuffles. Suddenly, a $39 million swing could flip the balance, turning Dallas into a storm the league never saw coming.

The Dallas Mavericks seem optimistic about Kyrie Irving’s future amidst a $39 million opening in the roster

Sometimes, to land a star, you’ve got to stitch the sky yourself. That’s what Dallas could do by bundling Klay Thompson ($16.67M), Daniel Gafford ($14.39M), and Naji Marshall ($9M)—a neat total of $40.05M… It checks every box: veteran shooting, paint presence, and wing depth. And yes, it just so happens to match Ja Morant’s $39M deal. Coincidence? Maybe. But in the NBA, the stars often align when you dare to chase them.

Now, imagine flipping that trio for Ja. Risky? Absolutely. But trades are poetry in motion. This one offers Memphis cap relief and rotational depth, while giving Dallas its next electric face. However, Kyrie Irving’s presence complicates the dream. If he stays, Ja’s fit fizzles. If he walks, the door swings open. One bold package, three moving parts, and a $39M gamble that could rewrite the Western Conference map in one breathtaking move.

Thus, Ja Morant in Dallas isn’t just a trade—it’s a ripple waiting to turn tidal. But it all hangs on Kyrie Irving. If he stays, Dallas rides familiar winds. If he walks, the Mavs may chase the storm with Ja. Either way, Nico Harrison stands at the edge, staring down millions-worth a decision that could spark a brand-new era in the West. Now the question is, what are the odds?