Kyrie Irving has people around his camp and the Nets feeling more optimistic that he will return to the court this season, but he has also reportedly been brought up in trade discussions, with teams inquiring about the superstar point guard’s availability given his current inability to play in New York City.
Now, a report has emerged that the Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that reached out to Brooklyn about Irving’s availability, and a potential return piece for the Nets that was brought up is a name that should be familiar to basketball fans in the New York area.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Mavericks brought up Kristaps Porzingis in trade talks with the Nets, though it is unclear if those talks ever advanced. Porzingis was drafted fourth overall by the Knicks and quickly became the face of the franchise before injuries and disagreements with the direction of the franchise led to an abrupt trade to Dallas in 2019.
Porzingis, now in his third season with the Mavericks, is averaging 19.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 20 games played. He is shooting 45 percent from the field and just 29.7 percent from downtown, the worst mark of his career.
UPDATE: Marc Stein reports that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said that he never discussed a trade involving Porzingis and Irving with the Nets.
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