Mark Cuban Says Kyrie Irving Trade Gives Mavericks 'Best Backcourt in the NBA'

Dallas Mavericks governor Mark Cuban would stack up his team's backcourt against any in the NBA after the acquisition of Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.

During an interview with WFAA Dallas, he said the Mavericks completed the trade in part because it "would give us the best backcourt in the NBA. We have probably the best ball-handler in Luka [Dončić], and now we feel like we have the second-best as well. That creates unique opportunities and puts a lot of pressure on the defense."

While the argument can be made that the best backcourt title belongs to the Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, by default because of their championship pedigree, it is difficult to top the talent the Mavericks will have on the floor with Dončić and Irving.

The front office surely had that in mind when it sent the Brooklyn Nets a return package of Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 for Irving and Markieff Morris.

Dallas needed to surround Dončić with more help, especially after it didn't re-sign Jalen Brunson and saw him join the New York Knicks this past offseason.

Dončić is second in the league with a usage rate of 37.6, per NBA.com, and has often been tasked with carrying the offense for extended stretches both early and late in games. That can take its toll during a long season, and Cuban even pointed to the ability to rest him at times given this move.

There are some questions, of course, including how well they will be able to coexist, considering they both handle the ball so much and create shots for themselves and others off the dribble. Irving is 18th in the league with a usage rate of 29.4.

Then there is the defense, which is not something Irving has been known for throughout his career.

Dallas is 24th in the league with a defensive rating of 114.9, per NBA.com, and may be forced to outscore opponents in offensive battles down the stretch of the season. That formula could work considering how talented the combination of Dončić and Irving can be, but it will be difficult to make a deep playoff run without some improvements on the defensive end.

For now, though, optimism seems to be high in Dallas following the trade for the eight-time All-Star.