Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 8:05pm

IRVING JOINS DONCIC IN DALLAS

The Dallas Mavericks acquired guard Kyrie Irving and center/forward Markieff Morris from the Brooklyn Nets for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round draft pick in 2029, a second-round draft pick in 2027 and a second-round draft pick in 2029.

What does it give the Dallas Mavericks
The word that comes to mind with this trade for Dallas is risk. Irving comes with so many question marks: how many games will he play? Will his game mesh with Luka Doncic? How long until Irving decides he does not want to play in Dallas anymore? If these questions can be answered positively, the Mavericks have just added an elite teammate for Doncic to play with. In fact, this trade could make Dallas a dark horse in the Western Conference.

What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn quickly found a trade partner, after Irving requested a move 48 hours before he was sent to Dallas. The return gives the Mavericks plenty of options moving forward. Dinwiddie is enjoying a career season from beyond the arc (40.5%), and could be a bulk scorer for the Nets. Finney-Smith also helps improve Brooklyn's depth as he is a great two-way role player. The three draft picks should also help the Nets moving forward.

Fantasy impact
This trade impacts the players who did not switch teams more than the ones who did. In Brooklyn, Kevin Durant will have to pick up more of the scoring with Irving gone (if Durant returns healthy and committed to staying in Brooklyn, that is). In Dallas, Doncic will have to adjust to a new teammate in the backcourt. How that will affect his numbers is still to be determined. As for Irving, he is in a similar spot as before: a No. 2 option behind a superstar. Dinwiddie's stock is on the rise following the move to Brooklyn, while Finney-Smith's should remain much the same. Morris offers little from a fantasy perspective.