The Dallas Mavericks were reportedly on the brink of acquiring Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, until Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear brought everything crashing down.
According to NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the Phoenix Suns were actively fielding trade calls for Durant, and the Mavericks were among the most serious suitors. The plan? Reunite Durant with his former Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving, and pair them with Anthony Davis to form a powerhouse trio in Dallas.
But fate had other plans.
In March, Irving suffered a season-ending ACL injury, abruptly halting negotiations and forcing the Mavericks to rethink their strategy.
“Had Kyrie not gone down, we might be talking about KD and Kyrie in Dallas right now,” Robinson revealed on the HBCU podcast.
Scoop B (@ScoopB) on Why Kevin Durant Didn’t End Up with the Mavs – The ripple effect of Kyrie Irving’s injury is wild. Insiders hint that a healthy Irving might’ve changed Kevin Durant’s destination! A twist? @hbculegends @KyleAnthonyKAM #NBADrama #NBA #KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/XfkDIDXY3h
— Kyle T. Mosley (@ktmoze) July 24, 2025
The Durant-Irving duo, once hailed as the future of the Brooklyn Nets, had a rocky tenure that yielded just one playoff series win. Still, their chemistry, both on and off the court, remained undeniable. A reunion in Dallas could have been a redemption arc for both stars, especially with Davis anchoring the frontcourt.
Instead, Durant now begins a new chapter with the Houston Rockets, surrounded by a young, unproven core. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are left wondering what could’ve been. With Luka Dončić traded to the Lakers and Davis sidelined by injury, Dallas’ playoff hopes have dimmed, and the dream of a superteam dissolved before it ever materialized.
