Kevin Durant was very close to becoming a part of the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year, with Kyrie Irving set to join him. NBA insider Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson revealed that at the trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns received multiple trade inquiries for Durant from teams including the Mavericks. However, discussions stalled primarily due to Irving suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Robinson, speaking on the ‘HBCU’ podcast, explained that the injury to Irving’s ACL was the main reason the deal failed to materialize. He noted that numerous teams such as the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors were interested in Durant, but Dallas had serious intentions.
“The Suns were taking phone calls from other teams that were calling at the deadline. Those teams included Dallas, the Washington Wizards, and the Golden State Warriors. Just talking to people across the league, I got the sense that had Kyrie Irving not injured his knee, torn his ACL, we might be having another conversation about Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as members of the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, that Kyrie Irving injury really was the Achilles heel as to why KD did not find a way to the Dallas Mavericks even though the Mavericks were calling,”
Robinson said.
Trade Talks Impacted by Irvin Injury, a Crucial Factor in Durant’s Fate
Durant’s inability to lead the Suns deep into the Western Conference playoffs made him the most desirable trade target of the offseason. The Mavericks, who were actively pursuing him, could have secured Durant and Irving together if not for Irving’s ACL tear in March. This injury shifted the dynamics of the trade market and ultimately prevented the formation of a potentially dominant Dallas lineup.
Sports commentator Kyle T. Mosley highlighted the ripple effect of Kyrie’s injury, tweeting,
“The ripple effect of Kyrie Irving’s injury is wild. Insiders hint that a healthy Irving might’ve changed Kevin Durant’s destination! A twist?”
The Original Durant-Irving Partnership and Its Unfulfilled Potential
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving first became teammates during the 2019–20 NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets. Together, they formed one of the league’s most formidable offensive duos and helped raise the Nets’ profile in the Eastern Conference. Their synergy on the court was strong, and they developed a close friendship off it. Despite the optimism, their partnership was marred by limited playoff success, managing only one postseason series win during their time playing together.
The Nets eventually parted ways with Irving in February 2023, ending what many considered a tumultuous partnership. Few expected them to reunite again; however, this summer almost saw their comeback take shape in Dallas.
Dallas Mavericks Poised for a Power Trio Before Injury Halted Plans
The Mavericks aimed to assemble a powerhouse by bringing together Durant, Irving, and Anthony Davis. Such a combination would have made Dallas a leading contender in the Western Conference and strengthened their position after trading Luka Doncic. Unfortunately, Irving’s torn ACL dashed hopes for this star-studded lineup, forcing the Mavericks to rethink their plans.
Scoop B emphasized how the potential reunion with Irving was pivotal to Durant’s move:
“In fact, that Kyrie Irving injury really was the Achilles heel as to why KD did not find a way to the Dallas Mavericks even though the Mavericks were calling.”
This injury shifted the NBA landscape and left fans wondering what might have been had Irving remained healthy.
What This Could Mean for the NBA Moving Forward
The injury to Kyrie Irving not only altered his career trajectory but also had a significant influence on Kevin Durant’s future and the competitive balance of the Western Conference. With the anticipated Mavs duo sidelined, Dallas must now explore alternative strategies to challenge the top teams.
Durant’s prominence as a trade target will continue to influence offseason moves, while Irving’s recovery remains critical to any potential future collaborations. As the league adjusts to these developments, fans watch closely to see how the Mavericks and other contenders respond in the coming season.