Kyrie Irving Trade is 'No. 1' Question for NBA Execs Talking to Mavs Insider amid Latest Rumors

The Dallas Mavericks are off to an impressive 4-2 start, but it sounds like the sharks are already circling to try and pry away one of their best players.

During Monday's episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that Mavs star guard Kyrie Irving is one of the most talked-about names on the trade market this season.

"When I'm talking to executives and scouts around the league, when the Mavericks come up, it's the No. 1 thing people are asking me about," MacMahon said (11:38 mark).

At 34 years old, Irving is 15 years older than Mavs budding phenom Cooper Flagg. The duo combined for 68 points in a recent win over the Houston Rockets, with Irving leading the way with 35.

Rockets-Mavericks Highlights

01:28

While Dallas is known to be rebuilding under first-year head coach Dusty May, the team's strong start has fueled hope for a potential playoff run this season.

MacMahon went on to explain that while Irving seemed like a top trade candidate entering this year, it will now take a lot to convince the Mavs to let him go.

"Going into this season, I would've said more likely than not he gets moved by the deadline, but I didn't feel super strongly about it," MacMahon said. "The more I see the team, the more I'm around the team, the more I think it's gonna be awfully hard to trade him. Not that there won't be a big market; there will be, but if they've got a chance to compete for a play-in, playoff spot, I just think it's gonna be really tough to move Kyrie."