NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Land Kyrie Irving In Blockbuster Trade Proposal With Dallas Mavericks

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NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Land Kyrie Irving In Blockbuster Trade Proposal With Dallas Mavericks

The NBA trade market is rarely straightforward. Teams can explore the idea of moving a star, only to discover that timing, contracts, and leaguewide needs work against them. That may be the reality facing the Dallas Mavericks if they ultimately decide to move Kyrie Irving. The market for a high-salaried point guard is limited, and most contenders already have their backcourt structure in place.

Houston could theoretically make sense, but acquiring Irving midseason does not align with general manager Rafael Stone’s recent operating patterns. Minnesota has long needed perimeter shot creation, yet the Timberwolves lack workable salary-matching contracts.

One team that could do business at the upcoming trade deadline with next season in mind is the Atlanta Hawks, who continue to struggle in the Eastern Conference play-in race.

How could a trade proposal look for both sides?

Atlanta Hawks Land Kyrie Irving in NBA Trade Proposal

Dallas Mavericks Receive:

C.J. McCollum
2029 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – ATL)

Atlanta Hawks Receive:

Why the Dallas Mavericks Do the Deal

The Mavericks are not making this move for C.J. McCollum. Still, the veteran guard would provide short-term stability if Dallas opts to remain competitive next season. McCollum has averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 39 games this season.

The real incentive is the future first-round pick. With Cooper Flagg now central to the franchise’s long-term vision, Dallas must prioritize future draft capital. Irving, given his age, injury history, and salary, is unlikely to command an unprotected first on the open market. A lightly protected pick may represent the best realistic outcome.

Irving is on a three-year, $119 million contract signed in June 2025, paying roughly $40 million annually through the 2027–28 season, with a player option in the final year. That financial commitment further narrows the pool of suitors.

From there, Dallas retains optionality. The front office would have the option of retaining McCollum in free agency if there is mutual interest, or they could simply enjoy the salary cap relief.

Why the Atlanta Hawks Do the Deal

Atlanta’s timeline is very different. The Hawks did not move on from Trae Young to initiate a rebuild. They did it because they believed the roster functioned better without him. Entering January, Atlanta sits 10th in the Eastern Conference at 20–22, hovering near the Play-In line as the conference’s top tier separates itself.

Their long-term core is already in place with Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu. What the Hawks lack is an elite perimeter creator who can elevate those pieces without dominating the ball.

Irving fits that need. Before his injury, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games during the 2024–25 season and earned his ninth All-Star selection. His off-ball shooting, shot creation, and functional defense would align well with Atlanta’s emerging identity.

Basketball-wise, Irving’s presence could be especially transformative for Johnson, giving him more space to operate as a scorer and secondary playmaker. Atlanta would be betting that Irving is the final piece that pushes a near-finished roster back into the upper playoff tier.

Bigger Picture for a Kyrie Irving Trade Scenario

According to DallasHoopsJournal.com senior writer Grant Afseth, Irving is expected to be physically capable of returning after the All-Star break following ACL surgery suffered on March 3, 2025. The Mavericks’ first post-break game on Feb. 20 would place his return just shy of the 12-month recovery benchmark commonly used around the league.

The larger variable is organizational direction. If losses continue to mount while Irving and Anthony Davis remain sidelined, Dallas may be incentivized to pivot earlier than expected. The Mavericks currently sit 12th in the Western Conference, with their short- and long-term outlook tightly tied to health and roster clarity.

Atlanta, meanwhile, holds flexibility. McCollum ($32 million) is on an expiring deal in 2025–26, allowing the Hawks to absorb Irving’s contract in a structure that brings him into the organization now as he gets back into full form after recovering from ACL surgery.

Every NBA team operates on its own timeline. Dallas has already secured the hardest piece to acquire: a franchise cornerstone in Flagg. The next phase is discipline, asset accumulation, and patience. Atlanta is closer to contention than its record suggests. Adding a high-level creator like Irving could accelerate that path dramatically. However, the goal would be the 2026-27 season.