Kyrie Irving has officially been traded to the Dallas Mavericks, and recently played his first game for Dallas (a 110-104 victory without Luka over the Clippers). This trade shakes up the league in a big way. Here are some of the chief effects of this big trade:
#1 - The Nets are probably finished.
As long as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were playing together, there was the possibility that the Nets could sort out their issues and make a run to the Finals. Everything has changed now. Kevin Durant does not have a viable #2 star to back him up when playoff basketball begins. Perhaps KD will stick around and see if the Nets can adjust to fill the space that Kyrie used to fill. But based on his history, it seems more likely that he will be ready for another move. It is incredibly difficult to win a title without a strong second star, and the Nets dream team has slowly fallen further and further from that hope.
#2 - The Mavericks are the new favorites in the West
What team is going to match up with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving? You could say Curry, Thompson, and Draymond, but they rarely share the floor together due to constant injury. And the defending champs are only one win above .500 this season. LeBron and D'Angelo Russell might have a shot if Davis gets healthy, but the Lakers are only 25-30, and would need a massive turnaround. Jokić and Murray will take the Nuggets on another playoff run, but as impactful as Jokić is statistically, he hasn't been able to take over playoff games like his competitors. Morant still lacks that knockout Number 2 option. The Kings will make the playoffs but they are young and inexperienced, unlike the Mavericks leading men. In the wide-open West, this is a giant opportunity for the Dallas Mavericks.
#3 - LeBron's title window is nearly closed
LeBron needs help if he wants to win a fifth ring. I think that it's still possible, providing Davis is able to stay healthy and De'Angelo Russell fits in well with the Lakers. But the Lakers' failure to land a big star before the trade deadline could be the final nail in the coffin. It's been said before and I'll say it again, LeBron is only getting older. And while he is performing unprecedently well for his age, no one would say that his dominance today is the same as it was five or ten years ago. The Lakers' glory days, at least those that would revolve around LeBron James, will soon come to an end, if they haven't already. This may be be the last season for Playoff LeBron to make a run for the Finals.
#4 - A New Dynasty
It's difficult to predict when and where a sports dynasty will arise. The Warriors are the league's current dynastic team. They are the reigning champs, six-time Western Conference champs, and four-time league champs during this run. But similarly to the glory days of their rival from Akron, the glory days of the Warriors, at least those that revolve around Stephen Curry, are coming to a close. And who will take their place? Kyrie's move to Dallas gives the Mavericks a chance to become the new top dogs in the NBA. Kyrie is in his prime, and Luka is still so young. They have experience to rely on and a franchise centerpiece to build with for years to come. That all could change, however, if Irving becomes dissatisfied and seeks his fourth move since coming into the league. If not the Mavericks, the Celtics and Bucks are the next obvious choices. Despite losing Irving a few years ago, Boston has cemented itself as the class of the Eastern conference, and their stars are young and eager. Milwaukee has Giannis, and as long as he is there, they have the potential to do great things for many years to come.
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