Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg 'Co-Existing' Questioned by Rival Execs in New NBA Trade Rumors

Rival NBA executives are questioning the Dallas Mavericks' timeline for building their team around Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported Saturday.

According to Scotto, rival executives are "wondering how long Irving, a nine-time All-Star who's coming off a torn left ACL and just turned 34, can co-exist with Flagg when the two players are on different career timelines."

"As the Mavericks and Irving find out the answers to these questions, executives around the league will monitor Irving's return to play and fit alongside Flagg," Scotto reported.

Scotto's report comes three days after ESPN's Shams Charania reported in an appearance on The Pat McAfee there are "multiple contenders around the NBA that are very much monitoring what Kyrie Irving's future is right now with the Mavericks."

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri said in a press conference on Wednesday he felt Irving would be able to find a fit alongside Flagg in their first season playing together.

"I think we have to figure out a way, how Kyrie fits with our program. And I've had those conversations with Kyrie, up until yesterday, and I think Kyrie will fit," Ujiri said. "I've said it before: there's a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg."

Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz also expressed confidence in Flagg's ability to adjust in an interview shared by the team on Friday.

"I think the best thing about Cooper is that he can fit with anyone. He's so versatile on both ends of the floor, he's so mature already for his age," Schmitz said.

Irving sat out the 2025-26 campaign amid his recovery from the season-ending torn ACL he suffered in March 2025. He is currently signed for one more season with a player option for 2027-28.

Flagg is coming out of an NBA Rookie of the Year campaign during which he often served as the Mavericks' primary playmaker while averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals through 70 games.

The fit between Irving and Flagg isn't the only question the Mavericks will have to answer this summer. The Mavs are also searching for a head coach after parting ways with Jason Kidd with four years remaining on his contract.

Whichever coach is hired to replace Kidd will be tasked with building an offensive structure that sets up Irving to succeed once he returns for his first NBA action in over a year.