Kyrie Irving is back in Cleveland trade rumors, and this time LeBron James is the reason. James is reportedly waiting to see whether any of his suitors can land Anthony Davis or Irving, and a new report from NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson has revived talk of a Cavaliers reunion with the point guard he once won a title alongside.Irving already sat out the entire 2025-26 season, and Dallas’ timeline now runs through Cooper Flagg’s development rather than a 33-year-old guard. That gap has opened the door to speculation. Robinson floated Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as trade chips if other Cavs plans fall through, while pointing to James Harden and Max Strus as the pieces that could get a Dallas deal done, possibly as soon as next season’s deadline.
| Category | Details |
| Player | Kyrie Irving |
| Current team | Dallas Mavericks |
| Rumored team | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Contract status | 3-year, $118.47 million |
| Trade likelihood | Speculative, tied to the January trade window |
| Latest insider update | Scoop B Robinson reports Irving wouldn’t rule out a Cavs return |
| Potential return | James Harden, Max Strus |
Why Kyrie Irving’s situation is complicated for Mavericks
Kyrie Irving. Image via: Jerome Miron/ Imagn Images
Irving turns 34 next season and missed the entirety of 2025-26, a year removed from averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 47.3% shooting in 2024-25. Dallas built its next window around Flagg rather than a veteran ball-handler, and that shift is what’s fueling the trade chatter.Robinson said Dallas isn’t inclined to hold onto Irving long term. “Dallas’ window is 2 to 3 years away,” he said, pointing to Flagg’s development as the reason the Mavericks might be open to moving on from Irving sooner than later.
Cavaliers-Kyrie Irving reunion trade idea: what it solves for both sides
The idea centers on reuniting Irving with James in Cleveland, seven years after Irving requested the trade that ended their first partnership. Robinson reported that Irving wouldn’t rule out a Cavs return at some point, and named Harden and Strus as the pieces that could complete a deal with Dallas.For Cleveland, adding Irving gives James a proven co-star and revives the backcourt pairing that beat Golden State in the 2016 Finals. For Dallas, moving Irving for expiring or replaceable pieces like Harden and Strus clears a veteran salary slot as the roster shifts toward building around Flagg.Hypothetical trade structure
- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks receive: James Harden, Max Strus
Player profiles and 2025-26 performance snapshot
| Player | Age | Prior-season team | PPG/RPG/APG | Contract status | Notes |
| Kyrie Irving | 34 | Dallas Mavericks | 24.7 / 4.8 / 4.6 (2024-25) | 3-year, $118.47 million | Missed all of 2025-26 |
What the Cavaliers gain from this move
Irving slots in next to James and Donovan Mitchell as a third proven shot creator, giving Cleveland a backcourt with championship pedigree if the pairing can recapture its 2016 form. It also gives the front office a reason to keep Mobley and Allen off the table for now, using Harden and Strus as the trade currency instead.
What the Mavericks get in return
Dallas gets a pair of established contributors in Harden and Strus without disrupting the young core forming around Flagg. The framing suggests Dallas would treat the return as a step toward roster flexibility rather than a centerpiece addition.Getting Irving back next to James for a package of Harden and Strus, even hypothetically, is the kind of value gap that makes reunion talk stick around. Whether Dallas actually pulls the trigger before Flagg’s timeline speeds up is the bigger question.