The Dallas Mavericks have cut ties with veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson, who is expected to join the Miami Heat. This move could bring Kyrie Irving into the Detroit Pistons' reach, as the Mavericks may have to accept the reality that they aren't on the right timeline for the 34-year-old veteran.
What happened?
The Mavericks officially cut ties with Thompson on Friday, August 21, after he made it clear that he wanted to land with a contender. Thompson struck a buyout and is now expected to head to Florida to join the Miami Heat, who loaded up with Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. The Detroit Pistons made plenty of changes this offseason after their heartbreaking second-round loss, but they certainly didn't land any of their top targets initially. One long-shot target that the Pistons have to keep their eyes on is the veteran guard, Kyrie Irving.
Why it matters for Dallas Mavericks
Throughout the offseason, the Mavericks have made it clear that they prefer to see Irving share the court with Cooper Flagg after adding the former Duke superstar as the No. 1 pick one season ago. But make no mistake: the Mavs just might be delaying the inevitable. Kyrie Irving might not hit the trade block in August, but it might only be a matter of time before the Mavericks have to accept the reality that they aren't on the right timeline for the 34-year-old veteran.
What comes next?
If the Mavericks eventually make Kyrie available, you can bet that it's going to be more than just the Pistons making calls to Dallas. But if the Mavs are willing to work with the veteran sharpshooter to send him where he wants to go, it's hard not to view the Pistons as an intriguing landing spot for the nine-time All-Star. Irving is versatile enough to switch spots in the backcourt and would certainly complement Cade Cunningham, who is one of the NBA's top playmakers. During Irving's pre-ACL injury season in 2023-2024, he averaged 25.6 points and 5.2 assists per game, while shooting 41.1% from deep. In his last run during the 2024-2025 NBA season, Irving posted averages of 24.7 points and 4.6 assists, while knocking down 40.1% of his threes. The age, price, and recent injury history could be viewed as yellow flags, but the Pistons shouldn't overlook this kind of gamble. Last result: Dallas Mavericks 149-128 Chicago Bulls (2026-04-13). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (WLLLL, most recent first). The Pistons shouldn't overlook the possibility of signing Irving, especially if the Mavericks are willing to work with him to send him where he wants to go. With the right mindset and a bit of luck, the Pistons could find themselves in the playoffs, and Irving could be the key to their success.
