Kyrie Irving Traded To Dallas - Fantasy Basketball Impact

Dennis Clausen examines the fantasy basketball ramifications surrounding the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Without a doubt, Kyrie Irving is arguably one of the most naturally gifted players in the National Basketball Association. He's a fantastic ball-handler and can get to the rim with ease. However, the former Duke Blue Devil's career has been surrounded by controversy, ultimately impacting his ability to win an MVP.

The NBA trade deadline kicked off with a bang when Irving, who had demanded a trade out of Brooklyn, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. NBA fans and fantasy managers are left wondering how things will play out.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball News page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

Kyrie Irving's Season Recap

Irving got suspended for an antisemitic social media post, keeping him out of the lineup for eight games. But since then, the 30-year-old stayed out of the limelight, so most had assumed he finally turned things around. He's played well all season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 40 appearances.

He was also selected to the All-Star team for the eighth time in his career. However, things were apparently going too well, as Irving dropped a bombshell by requesting a trade. His wish was granted, as he was sent to Dallas in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft picks.

Kyrie Irving's Fantasy Outlook In Dallas

There is a lot of excitement in Dallas. Unquestionably, Irving is one of the most talented offensive contributors in the NBA, so fantasy managers have benefited when he plays. However, he could never be trusted to stay healthy or away from off-the-court drama, severely decreasing his fantasy stock over the years.

With a fresh start on the horizon, the multi-time All-Star may be on his best behavior, especially since he'll be looking for a lucrative deal over the Summer. As a result, Irving should be a model player and teammate for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign, so managers should expect him to be out there as much as possible.

While Irving could say he at least shared the scoring duties with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, things will be much different in Dallas, as Luka Doncic is the undisputed Alpha for the Mavericks. The MVP front-runner is currently sitting on a 37.6 usage percentage. Although that could drop, Doncic will remain the primary ball-handler and offensive weapon.

Irving may have to play more off-ball, which is not his strong suit. With that said, fantasy managers should anticipate a drop in usage and scoring as long as Doncic remains healthy. On the other hand, his assist average may increase, he might have fewer turnovers, and his defensive numbers could improve.

Who Will Benefit In Brooklyn?

With Irving now in Texas, there is a massive void on the offensive end. Durant will benefit, at least when he returns from his knee injury, although his uptick in scoring may be minimal. Nicolas Claxton has already played great this year, but he'll likely continue to make most of his noise as a shot-blocker while seeing a slight boost on offense.

Everyone knows Ben Simmons' stint in Brooklyn thus far has been disappointing. However, it's not unreasonable to assume the former 76er will turn up the volume a bit from a scoring standpoint. Guys like Yuta Watanabe, Royce O'Neale, T.J. Warren, and Seth Curry could also benefit, but they probably won't be consistent fantasy contributors.

Then there's Cam Thomas, who has been amazing, scoring a combined 91 points in the last two games. Thomas hasn't been a fixture in Jacque Vaughn's rotation. Yet, that should change even when Durant is healthy and Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith suit up for the Nets. While Thomas should cool off at some point soon, he's done enough to warrant consideration for those playing in deeper formats, with his efficient three-point percentage being an added perk for category participants. However, he won't be the No. 2 offensive option, as that job will likely go to Dinwiddie.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis