Mavericks win big in keeping Christian Wood in Kyrie Irving trade

The Dallas Mavericks just traded for the biggest established superstar on the market, Kyrie Irving, and they were able to do it without giving up their third-most important offensive weapon, Christian Wood.

Finding another star to play with face of the franchise, Luka Doncic, was imperative. The Mavericks were stuck in mud this season. They were 0-8 without Doncic on the floor and struggling to win games even with him playing at MVP-caliber ball.

Standing just two-games over .500, the Mavs needed to do something, but their assets were limited, severely limiting the caliber of player they could afford. To make matters worse, if they could get a player of significant value, it would take all of the worthwhile assets they had. It may add talent to the top of the roster but would likely leave Dallas with an entirely new set of issues to deal with.

The Mavericks were able to trade for Kyrie Irving without losing Christian Wood in return, making them legit contenders in the West.

While Kyrie Irving comes with plenty of baggage and subsequently risk, the issues that made Kyrie Irving available and affordable in the first place are the only reasons the Mavericks were able to pull the trade off.

At this moment, it appears Dallas has sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first round pick, and second round picks in return. They were able to keep Christen Wood, making for an attractive top-3 in offense

With the trade, the Mavericks appear to be legit contenders in the West once again. They didn’t destroy their roster to add Kyrie Irving and they enter the stretch of the 2022-23 season with a top 1-2-3 trio on the roster.

Risk?

Of course, but the risk is the only reason the reward was even possible. If there was no risk, Irving would still be in Brooklyn and even if he was traded he’d be far out of the Mavericks price range. The Mavs now can focus on winning and put the contract talks to the side.

The Mavs needed to do something to save their season because hope was starting to float out the window. Kyrie Irving gives Dallas hope.