Mavericks' Kyrie Irving gets major trade update as future with Dallas remains in question

Mavericks' Kyrie Irving gets major trade update as future with Dallas remains in question originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Dallas Mavericks have some interesting decisions to make as the trade deadline approaches. Ever since the offseason, there have been a few names that could potentially be on the move. Dallas is 7-4 in a crowded Western Conference, where winning games on a nightly basis will be a challenge. Kyrie Irving has been vocal about focusing on what is in front of the team and continuing to build alongside Cooper Flagg. “We are still growing," Irving said. "We still have a level we want to get to — a higher level. We are going to continue to push each other. We obviously know the external chatter as well and the 15-year age gap and what we are going to accomplish and how we are going to mesh. I think we threw all that out the window and just really focused on what we can control, which is our effort and how we treat each other." Irving's future in Dallas remains uncertain. One thing is for certain: he could be one of the biggest names available on the trade market. “I think he’s going to be the most in-demand player at the trade deadline because he’s not on the Mavericks’ timeline. And we talked about Houston. I think Detroit’s another team that will be salivating over getting Kyrie Irving,” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix said. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes that the injuries piling up across the Western Conference could change Dallas' plans and give the Mavericks a reason to hold onto Irving for a potential playoff run. “Dallas is a team that you know, again, at the start of the season you’re like, when/ if they’re trading Kyrie? Now, you look at what’s happened to the West, Minnesota injuries, Oklahoma City injuries, you’re like, uh I don’t know,” Windhorst said. Keeping Irving in Dallas as a mentor for the younger players wouldn't be the worst outcome, especially considering the value he brings both on and off the court. The Mavericks would like to keep him around for as long as possible. However, another team could make an offer that Dallas simply cannot turn down. Only time will tell. The Mavericks will likely continue evaluating the situation throughout the first half of the season before making a final decision. More MLB news: Warriors' Draymond Green's future in Golden State reportedly in limbo ahead of NBA trade deadline Pistons predicted to trade for Mavericks' $118M veteran NBA champion, Future Hall of Famer Lakers predicted to trade for $5.2M six-foot-ten ex-Knicks lob threat to pair with Luka Doncic Thunder reportedly waive ex-76ers former first-rounder less than a week after signing him