Though the Dallas Mavericks are forecasting a January return for Kyrie Irving, they may not be able to put a lot of weight on the 33-year-old’s shoulders next season. After all, anecdotes about season-ending injuries suggest that players don’t feel like they’ve gotten back to normal until the season after they’ve made it back. However, that’s all speculative.
What is certain is that Dallas will at least need a band-aid until Irving recovers. With that in mind, the Mavs “will be looking to add a capable starter this summer who can later transition into a complementary role once Irving has returned to active duty,” reports The Stein Line insider Jake Fischer.
Jazz Have Perfect Kyrie Irving Band-Aid For Mavs
An ideal short-term replacement for Irving is a player who can also score at a high volume and won’t create an awkward situation when he returns.
In regards to the second point, the player who steps up for Irving has to be understanding and accepting of the nine-time All-Star’s status as a cornerstone starter. The players who tend to have such a mindset are either young or mature.
The Young Options
The Mavericks have two young guards they could promote internally: Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams.
In 2024-25, Hardy averaged 15.9 points per game when he played at least 20 minutes. Williams, a late season revelation, averaged 17.3 points (and 4.2 assists) per game when he played at least 30 minutes.
However, excluding the game in which he sustained a season-ending ACL injury, Irving averaged 25.0 points (and 4.7 assists) per game in 2024-25. Even if one were to assume Hardy or Williams could hold down the fort until Irving gets back to himself, he was playing at a higher level than they reached. Thus, the Mavericks have to scour the market for an even deadlier scorer.
Among the league’s young players, Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain is arguably the most potent combo guard. In fact, he averaged 23.8 points per game as a starter in 2024-25. Yet, he’s likely a player that the Sixers want to hold onto for now. Put more succinctly, he may not be a realistic target for Dallas.
So, unless the Mavericks use their No. 1 pick on a prospect who could outright replace Irving, they’ll have to aim at a slightly older option.
Enter Collin Sexton
In Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz hybrid guard Collin Sexton —one of the league’s better scorers —has been corralled. In fact, Jazz fans have been left scratching their heads at his perceived mismanagement for two seasons. Nevertheless, it’s no secret that the rebuilding Jazz are looking to move the 26-year-old.
Yet, Sexton has demonstrated he can score 20-plus points per game over the course of a full season. In 2019-20, his second pro season, he averaged 20.8 points per game. In 2020-21, he averaged a career-high 24.3 points per game.
Of course, the NBA is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. Even with that caveat though, Sexton averaged 24.2 points per contest in 2023-24 when he played 30 or more minutes (26 games). In 2024-25, he averaged 22.4 points per contest when he played 30 or more minutes (26 games).
Last night, Collin Sexton had 24 points (10-22 FG, 4-10 3P) and 5 assists to Donovan Mitchell’s 22 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3P, 4-5 FT) and 7 assists in their first matchup since being traded for each other. The Cavs won but Sexton started a dialogue pic.twitter.com/7RlaKIpS1U
— ℚ (@qshironalberti3) December 24, 2024
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It’s more than the numbers though.
Jazz CG Collin Sexton averaged 23.5 PPG and 4 APG on 59.4% FG and 45.5 3P% in his last two games while facing off against title contenders (Nuggets on 12/30, Knicks on 1/1)
(Will Hardy has drawn up some nice plays for him too)
Great way to close 2024 and open 2025 pic.twitter.com/hOgsZPPcsZ
— ℚ (@qshironalberti3) January 2, 2025
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Sexton’s a physical, athletic and crafty one-on-one scorer but more than capable of scoring off-ball. He’s developed into one of the league’s most consistent 3-point threats. He’s even made strides as a facilitator, both in terms of making the right pass and manipulating the defense.
To make it all the better, he’s on an expiring contract. Thus, if he and Mavs partnership proves to be better on paper than in reality, they can part ways sooner rather than later. If he looks like a keeper, they’ll have his Bird Rights and the ability to keep him for a few more years.
What About Free Agency?
In free agency, they could make a move for a veteran.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden has a player option for 2025-26. Detroit Pistons free agent Dennis Schroder will be on the market. The Brooklyn Nets may be zeroing in on Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, a projected top-three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which could leave free agent D’Angelo Russell without a home.
However, Harden probably won’t be a player they could sign outright, necessitating a sign-and-trade. Unfortunately, Harden is in the twilight of his career. Neither his offensive or defensive efficiency may be up to scratch next season. As a result, there are real doubts about whether they’ll get enough bang for their buck.
Meanwhile, Russell had a subpar performance in 2024-25. In fact, it was arguably the worst season of his career. Like Harden, he comes with questionable efficiency and athletic limitations but lacks the accolades and overall ability. Thus, though he could be more affordable than Harden, he still might not be worth the price tag.
Schroder, a journeyman stateside but the German national team’s captain in international competition, may be the best free agent option. The way that he played for the Nets last season —averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists per game — lends credence to that belief. However, assuming that Dallas could afford him, he and the Pistons have mutual interest on a new deal. Another matter of concern is that he hasn’t averaged over 15 points per game since 2020-21 and has never averaged 20-plus points per game.
© Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
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