NBA Notes: Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Hornets, Coby White, Knicks

Mavericks

The Mavericks have given no indication that they’re looking to trade Kyrie Irving.

But if that changes, one Western Conference executive doesn’t believe Irving would currently bring back a massive haul.

The executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy that Irving’s age, contract and injury history could limit his trade value, particularly as the 34-year-old works his way back from a torn ACL.

“If he comes back and he is scoring 24, 25 points (per game), then you will have teams willing to give up a first-round pick for him,” the executive told Deveney. “Maybe more, maybe a young player, too. But with his injury history, I don’t think you give up more than one first.”

Irving also holds a player option for 2027-28, potentially creating another consideration for teams interested in acquiring him. Dallas, meanwhile, has continued to indicate that it wants Irving back and sees him as part of the plan.

Austin Veazey of NBA on SI makes the case that if Irving’s return would amount to one first-round pick and matching salary, the Mavericks are better off keeping him. Hard to argue much with that right now.

Irving’s value could change considerably if he returns healthy and looks like himself. Until then, there’s not much reason for Dallas to sell low just for the sake of making a trade.

Hornets

Coby White was initially acquired to help the Hornets survive the minutes when LaMelo Ball wasn’t on the floor. Now there is no Ball. So White gets the keys.

Charlotte traded Ball to Minnesota this summer before giving White a new contract, setting up the former Bulls guard to enter the season as the Hornets’ starting point guard.

Owen O’Connor of Hornets on SI examined whether White can handle the expanded responsibility and found at least some encouraging evidence.

In 140 minutes last season with both Ball and Sion James off the floor, Charlotte outscored opponents by 18.3 points per 100 possessions with White handling primary creation duties.

That’s a tiny sample, of course. White’s overall playmaking numbers were considerably less impressive, with his potential assists, pass-to-turnover ratio and rim assists all ranking below the 40th percentile among guards.

The Hornets aren’t asking him to do everything alone. They acquired Dennis Schroder from the Cavaliers, giving Charlotte another experienced ball-handler alongside White, James and rookie Christian Anderson.

White already showed he could help Charlotte function without Ball. Now he gets an entire season to prove it wasn’t just 140 good minutes.

Knicks

Mike Brown won a championship in his first season with the Knicks, so presumably he won’t be ripping up the rotation just to keep himself entertained.

Shaz Ally of Knicks on SI projects New York to stick with the starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The more interesting part may be how Brown manages Brunson and Towns. Brown regularly staggered his two stars last season, allowing Brunson to control stretches of the first quarter before turning the offense over to Towns-led groups.

Ally expects that general approach to continue, while Brown uses Hart, Bridges and Anunoby in a variety of combinations around them.

Andre Drummond figures to take on some of the minutes previously handled by Mitchell Robinson, while Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet and Pacome Dadiet give Brown plenty of ways to play around with the second unit.

And he probably will. Brown changed combinations regularly last season, and there’s little reason to think winning the championship suddenly cured him of experimenting.

Then again, when the experimenting ends with a parade, nobody complains too much.