Kyrie Irving remains a talking point even during the quietest periods of the NBA calendar. The latest chatter surrounding the elite playmaker’s future comes entirely from outside, prompted by Bleacher Report’s three-team proposal involving the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors.
On August 28, NBA columnist Zach Buckley published “The 3-Team NBA Trade Idea That Would Change Everything,” sending fans into a frenzy.
NBA World Erupts as Wild Mock Trade Packaging Kyrie Irving Sparks Instant Backlash
The trade framework given by Buckley sends the 2016 NBA champion and Naji Marshall to Detroit, P.J. Washington and Taurean Prince, a 2027 second-round pick (from MIL, via DET), and a 2028 second-round pick (from CHO or LAC, via DET) to Golden State, and brings a five-player collection, Ron Holland II, Brandin Podziemski, Daniss Jenkins, Moses Moody, Duncan Robinson, and a 2028 first-round pick (via DET) to Dallas.
When Bleacher Report shared the piece on social media with the caption, the hoops community flooded the comment section to torch the logic behind it.
“This would truly turn the NBA upside down 🤯,” read the post.
This would truly turn the NBA upside down 🤯
FULL TRADE HERE https://t.co/biKJEfc9Oq pic.twitter.com/nFMJ8pTP8l
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 31, 2026
One user poked fun at the social media team, posting, “Bleacher Report admin off a baggie 😭😭.”
Moving a 9-time All-Star who averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 season, his last active campaign before he tore his ACL, didn’t sit right with Dallas fans.
“I’m seriously considering unfollowing you guys and deleting y’all’s app ‘cause y’all are annoying. Ain’t no way the Mavs will do that trade,” wrote one fan, expressing their frustration.
An observer slammed the quality of the proposal, writing, “I’m convinced that a 12-year-old wrote this report with the help of AI, and the idea came from his 10-year-old sibling.”
“Whoever came up with this is clearly a Pistons fan. What an absolutely horrendous return for the Mavs for KYRIE IRVING and Naji. Significant downgrade they’d never in a million years do,” pointed out a second user.
Whoever came up with this is clearly a Pistons fan. What an absolutely horrendous return for the Mavs for KYRIE IRVING and Naji. Significant downgrade they’d never in a million years do.
— G. Hagan (@superman1118) August 31, 2026
“Why would Mavs do this? Stupid trade idea,” stated another observer.
Calling out Bleacher Report’s attempt at manufacturing traction, another fan tweeted, “These are unserious rage bait posts. When clicks equal revenue, seriousness and accuracy no longer matter.”
These are unserious rage bait posts.
When clicks = revenue seriousness and accuracy no longer matter.— Tim Tibbles (@romanstwelveone) September 1, 2026
With the Mavericks rebuilding around the reigning Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg, trading away Irving makes zero sense and contradicts the franchise’s plans.
“Mavs have spent the entire offseason telling every team Kyrie isn’t available so they can actually see him next to Flagg,” posted a third fan.
While Buckley’s pitch presents a hypothetical scenario that caters to the team’s immediate needs, it remains a high-risk gamble.
Irving, 34, carries major availability issues after missing the entire 2025-26 season to recover from an ACL injury. Nonetheless, his caliber as a championship point guard remains undeniable.
With the Mavericks trading away Luka Dončić in February 2025, the front office seems focused on retaining veteran talent to support the young Flagg and keep their championship window open, making this internet trade proposal nothing more than offseason noise.
