There's a growing possibility of the Dallas Mavericks making a blockbuster move this offseason involving Kyrie Irving. Some packages have not been worth it at all, but the Mavericks have found their best win scenario in a hypothetical Irving trade.
That would involve Miami Heat All-Star and NBA Three-Point Contest Champion Tyler Herro. The seven-year man out of Kentucky has fit the mold as the typical Kentucky guard to make it big in the NBA, and he's made an immediate impact since his rookie season in 2019.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed a trade that won't exactly be a complete Christmas present for both sides, but it's insurance for the Miami Heat to have a proven veteran lead their team, and the Mavericks get their one-two punch in Herro and Cooper Flagg.
Bleacher Report trade has Kyrie Irving to the Heat and Tyler Herro to the Mavericks
A defensive specialist like Jarred Vanderbilt would be nice, but Herro's usage would be miles more efficient.
The Mavericks desperately need to improve their 3-point percentage, as they were one of the worst teams in deep-range shooting (ranked 26th in the regular season). Swartz says the Mavericks can fix that immediately if Herro joins the squad.
"Dallas desperately needs help at guard and with their three-point attack. The Mavs ranked 29th overall in made threes per game (11.0) and were 26th in accuracy (34.4 percent). Herro is a lifetime 38.2 percent shooter from deep on 2.7 makes per game. Klay Thompson was the only Maverick to best Herro last season (2.9 per contest)."
One of Flagg's weaknesses was his 3-point shot. Herro would be an instant spark plug for the team and would be a Day 1 starter, basically taking Irving's place in the lineup. Mavs fans wouldn't like the idea of trading Irving in less than two years after trading Doncic, but this wouldn't be too bad for both sides.
Grading the trade for the Miami Heat
Irving, in his mid-30s, may be the perfect centerpiece next to Bam Adebayo. Not to mention, the Heat have a certain culture that veterans respect, and Irving is on the best behavior of his career as we speak.
It wouldn't be the Giannis Antetokounmpo jackpot that fans have been asking for, but they get one of the best ball handlers of all time with their star big man in Adebayo on the court, too. In a package for Antetokounmpo, the Heat would need to get rid of multiple players and maybe even more draft picks.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jović would stay, as those have been two names linked in a package for Antetokounmpo.
Miami keeps some dough in their pocket, and they get the leader they need.
Grading the trade for the Dallas Mavericks
Herro is one of the more confident ball-handlers in the NBA, and not to mention, he can fix the Mavs' 3-point woes, fast. Speaking of much-needed deep-range shooting, they get Kasparas Jakučionis.
Here's what Swartz said when he evaluated the young Lithuanian guard.
"Jakučionis was Miami's 20th overall pick in the 2025 draft. A 6'5" guard who can also shoot (42.3 percent from three as a rookie), Jakučionis gives the Mavs some much, much-needed young talent around Flagg."
It won't be the splash of NBA free agency, but Herro moves so well on the floor and can open himself up for shots beyond the arc. He's never averaged 40 percent from deep in a regular season, but he's been close enough.
Even though the No. 41 pick isn't sexy, it's another pick the Mavs could use to develop in the G League. It's a tough decision to make, but the Mavs could use something with a proven shooter in Herro and a young sharpshooter in Jakučionis.
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