Kyrie Irving Faces Trade Rumors Amid Knee Injury Rehab

Kyrie Irving is at the center of new trade rumors as the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves express interest in the point guard. On May 20, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that multiple contenders are keeping an eye on Irving.

The Mavericks are still messaging to opposing teams that the nine-time All-Star is not available on the trade market despite inquiries from front offices, per Marc Stein.

Given Irving's age and recent injury history, it's understandable that opposing teams believe they can potentially acquire him from a Dallas squad building around 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

Irving didn't play during the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn ACL. He averaged 24.7 points and 4.8 rebounds to go along with 4.6 assists per game in the 2024-25 campaign.

New Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri was looking forward to seeing Flagg and Irving playing together when discussing the point guard's future with the organization. Ujiri told reporters on May 20 that he's had conversations with Irving about his fit with the team.

The Pistons are coming off a strong 2025-26 season in which they won 60 games and earned the No. 1 seed in the East. The Timberwolves also advanced to the second round of the playoffs in the West last season and have gone on several deep postseason runs in recent years.

Irving is an intriguing option for teams looking for an experienced backcourt player to pair with their existing talent. His ability to score and create for others makes him a valuable asset in the NBA.

On May 20, Ujiri said, 'Kevin Durant once told me, "There is only one Kyrie walking around in the world,"' when discussing Irving's unique talent. The Mavericks owe it to themselves to see how Irving fits with their program, according to Ujiri.

The 34-year-old Irving will look to return to the court in the 2026-27 season after a year of rehab. His future with the Mavericks remains uncertain as trade rumors continue to swirl.