Kyrie Irving Must Be the Hero to Fix Nico Harrison’s Trade Blunder.
When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Quentin Grimes at the deadline, expectations were high. The move was meant to bolster their depth, add defensive versatility, and provide another shooting threat alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. However, early returns suggest that Nico Harrison might have made a serious miscalculation. Grimes has struggled to find a role in Jason Kidd’s rotation, and the trade has done little to improve Dallas’ playoff prospects.
Now, as the Mavericks push toward the postseason, one player stands between them and disaster: Kyrie Irving.
Grimes’ Fit Issues and the Trade’s Fallout
Grimes was supposed to be a 3-and-D specialist, but his shooting has been inconsistent, and his defensive impact hasn’t been enough to make up for the Mavericks’ other issues. With Josh Green and Dante Exum already on the roster, the trade for Grimes created redundancy rather than improvement.
Worse yet, the deal cost Dallas valuable assets—potentially hampering their ability to make a bigger move this summer. If Grimes doesn’t find his rhythm soon, the trade could go down as one of Harrison’s most questionable decisions since taking over as GM.
Why Kyrie Holds the Key
If the Mavericks are going to overcome this misstep, they need Kyrie Irving to be at his absolute best. His leadership and on-court brilliance must elevate the team beyond the shortcomings of the trade.
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Playmaking Beyond Luka – While Dončić is the focal point, Irving needs to control the tempo and make sure role players like Grimes get easier looks. A confident Grimes is a more effective Grimes, and that starts with Irving setting him up in better situations.
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Scoring Efficiency – If Irving continues his elite scoring efficiency, he can mask Dallas’ depth issues. The fewer possessions wasted, the less Grimes’ struggles become a liability.
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Locker Room Stability – Irving’s leadership has been a surprise bright spot this season. If he can keep morale high and help integrate Grimes into the rotation, there’s a chance the young guard still finds his place before the playoffs.
Can the Mavs Survive This Mistake?
Nico Harrison made a bet that Grimes could be an impact player for Dallas. So far, it’s not paying off. But if Kyrie Irving can guide this team through the growing pains, the Mavericks might still have a shot at making noise in the playoffs.
If not, this trade could haunt Dallas as they try to build a contender around Luka Dončić. Either way, Kyrie’s play will determine whether this mistake is just a footnote or a major misstep in the Mavericks’ championship pursuit.
