NBA trade proposals send Kyrie Irving to Pistons

The Pistons won 60 games last season. They also discovered in the playoffs that Cade Cunningham could use another scorer beside him.

So, naturally, someone has placed Kyrie Irving in the trade machine.

Miles Irvin of Pistons On SI proposed two hypothetical deals that would send Irving from the Mavericks to Detroit.

To be clear, these are proposals. Nobody is reporting that the Pistons and Mavericks have discussed an Irving trade.

Under the first idea:

• Pistons receive: Kyrie Irving
• Mavericks receive: Ron Holland II, Jerami Grant, Detroit’s 2027 and 2029 first-round picks
• Grizzlies receive: Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Paul Reed, Tolu Smith and a 2027 Pistons second-round pick

The second version looks like this:

• Pistons receive: Kyrie Irving
• Mavericks receive: Ron Holland II, Terance Mann, Detroit’s 2027 and 2029 first-round picks
• Nets receive: Duncan Robinson, Paul Reed, Tolu Smith and a 2027 Pistons second-round pick

The basketball argument is easy enough to understand. Irving would punish defenses for loading up on Cunningham and give Detroit another late-game creator. He has already won a championship beside LeBron James and reached the NBA Finals alongside Luka Doncic.

The price is another matter. Irving is 34, carries a $39 million salary and is returning after missing last season with a torn ACL. Detroit would surrender Holland, two first-rounders and additional rotation pieces in either construction.

That’s a major bet for a team that just won 60 games and may not need to operate with desperation.

Still, Cunningham needs offensive relief. Dallas may eventually prioritize Cooper Flagg’s timeline and draft capital. If Irving returns healthy, the possibility becomes considerably more interesting near the trade deadline. The fit makes sense. The risk does, too.