In the wild world of NBA drama, the Dallas Mavericks just dropped a bombshell by axing GM Nico Harrison on Tuesday, sparking calls from fans and experts to tear it all down and rebuild around phenom Cooper Flagg. That seismic shift has everyone buzzing about potential fire sales, with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving topping the trade-block whispers.
While some die-hard Boston Celtics faithful are salivating over a splashy deal for AD, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single Green Team fan entertaining the idea of a Kyrie reunion. After all, Irving’s stormy stint in Beantown turned him into Public Enemy No. 1—stomping on the Lucky the Leprechaun logo and flipping off the Garden crowd still burns in their memories.
But hold up, Kyrie skeptics: What if bringing back the mercurial maestro could actually solve three massive headaches for the Celtics? We’re talking shoring up that leaky frontcourt, unlocking future cap room, and turbocharging their title chase for the 2025-26 season. Buckle up, because this blockbuster three-team swap with Dallas and Brooklyn could flip the script in epic fashion.
The Blockbuster Breakdown
Celtics haul in: Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell Mavericks score: Jaylen Brown Nets snag: Sam Hauser, 2032 second-round pick from Dallas
For the number-crunchers, here’s the salary scoop on the key pieces:
- Irving: $76 million locked in through 2027-28 (with a player option)
- Gafford: $68.8 million committed through 2028-29
- Powell: $4 million expiring deal
- Brown: A whopping $236.2 million through 2028-29
- Hauser: $45 million through 2028-29
So, why on earth would Boston pull the trigger? Let’s dive into the hoops logic first. Gafford, at just 27 years old, is a rebounding machine who’d plug the Celtics’ glaring hole at center for the next few seasons. His deal is a steal compared to what they’d shell out in free agency for similar talent—no overpaying for a rim protector here.
Sure, shipping out Jaylen Brown—an NBA Finals MVP and homegrown star—would sting like a bad turnover. But swapping him for Irving and Gafford? That’s an instant upgrade, especially with Jayson Tatum eyeing a comeback this season. Kyrie, sidelined but slated for an early 2026 return (and trade-eligible after December 15), brings that championship pedigree and scoring punch to keep Boston in the hunt.
Picture this revamped Celtics rotation once Kyrie and Tatum suit up:
Starters: Derrick White Kyrie Irving Jayson Tatum Josh Minott Daniel Gafford
Bench Mob: Payton Pritchard Anfernee Simons Hugo González Jordan Walsh Neemias Queta
Deep Reserves: Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman, Baylor Scheierman
That’s a legit contender in a watered-down East—if they stay healthy. Straight up, it’s a stronger squad than the current setup, no cap.
And don’t sleep on the money moves. This deal lets Brad Stevens ditch Brown’s supermax monster in favor of two more manageable contracts, with Kyrie’s expiring a full year earlier. It’s all about that sweet financial wiggle room as Tatum hits his prime. Come summer 2028, a 36-year-old Kyrie walks, freeing up space for Stevens to reload around a 30-year-old Tatum powerhouse.
We won’t belabor Dallas’ side, but it’s simple: Pairing the 28-year-old Brown with Flagg (and maybe keeping AD) fits their youth movement timeline way better than a 33-year-old Kyrie. Yeah, losing Gafford hurts, but they’ve got rising star Dereck Lively II ready to step up.
If Celtics Nation can swallow their pride and bury the hatchet with Kyrie, this trade isn’t just bold—it’s a smart pivot that could keep the banners flying high. Hate him or not, Uncle Drew might just be the villain Boston needs to become heroes again.