Trading Irving/Dong Mei? Famous reporter: If they are not traded at the same time, then sending Dong Mei away is the best solution

November 15th This week, the Mavericks fired the team's president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison, who led the epic deal for Doncic and Anthony Davis to swap clubs in early February this year.

With Harrison leaving Dallas, the topic of whether the Mavericks will trade Irving and Anthony Davis (hereinafter referred to as the thick eyebrow) is rampant.

ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps talked about the topic of potential trades for the Mavericks in the article. The specific content is as follows:

The hottest topic in the league this week is undoubtedly the Mavericks, and the discussion quickly turned to an unanswered question-no matter who succeeds Harrison as the team's president of basketball operations, they need to face a problem, that is, with less than 3 months left before the February 2026 trade deadline, where will the future of Big Eyebrow and Irving go?

According to my communication with many sources, the general view is that the best solution is for the Mavericks to at least send away Big Eyebrow (if not trade two stars at the same time). This type of move would help maximize the use of the 2026 first-round pick—the only draft pick the Mavericks have control over for the rest of the decade, given the depth of talent in the 2026 draft class—to rebuild around 2025 No. 1 pick Lang Flagg.

When an Eastern Conference executive was asked whether trading two veteran stars was the right path for the Mavericks, he categorically said: "Without a doubt."

Nongmei’s contract has three years left, totaling approximately US$175.37 million. Due to a calf strain, Nongmei has missed the past 7 games. So far this season, he has played in 5 games, averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Irving suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in early March and was reimbursed for the 2024-25 season. He has not yet returned this season. During this offseason, Irving refused to exercise a player option worth US$42.96 million, choosing to take a salary cut and renew his contract with the Mavericks. The two parties signed a new three-year contract worth US$118.47 million.