Ujiri plans to keep Irving in Dallas despite trade buzz

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri intends to keep Kyrie Irving on the roster this season, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports, despite other teams' interest ahead of the February trade deadline.

The plan pairs Irving with Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, though rival executives are skeptical Dallas sticks with it given the gap in career timelines and roster needs elsewhere.

Irving made his season debut in a preseason win over Houston in Macao, scoring 17 points in 22 minutes as he returns from last year's ACL tear.

Cooper Flagg Kyrie Irving

Related updates

Heavy ↗· 11 Oct 2026· updated 9h ago

Injury · DAL / HOU

★ MarqueeInjury

Irving scores 17 in first game back from ACL, calf injuries

Kyrie Irving made his season debut in China after roughly 19 months out with a torn left ACL and a later calf strain. He scored 17 points in 22 minutes as Dallas beat Houston 132-115 in a preseason game in Macau.

Heavy ↗· 11 Oct 2026

Trade rumor · DAL

★ MarqueeDeveloping

Lakers once turned down Kyrie Irving to keep Reaves, Buha says

Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said on his podcast that Los Angeles had a chance to land Kyrie Irving but refused to include Austin Reaves in the deal.

Hoops Rumors ↗· 11 Oct 2026

Injury · DAL / HOU / SAS

★ MarqueeInjury

Irving set to return Sunday in China after ACL, calf setbacks

Kyrie Irving will play Sunday in China, his first game since tearing his left ACL in March 2025, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal. Irving said a Grade 2 calf strain suffered in December further delayed his comeback, though he has practiced without issue since training camp opened.