The Houston Rockets are rolling without a traditional floor general, but the majority of the community doesn't notice it too much since they are sitting at 9-3 and looking like legitimate West contenders with Kevin Durant.
But what if they could add a championship-tested point guard who already has chemistry with their best player? CBS Sports' Sam Quinn just designed a blockbuster trade scenario that would reunite Kyrie Irving with KD in Houston. And quite frankly, the logic behind it might actually make sense.
Why This Trade Could Actually Work for Both Sides
With the Dallas Mavericks entering rebuild mode after firing GM Nico Harrison and committing to Cooper Flagg as their franchise face, Irving's future in Big D suddenly looks murky. Fans agree or not, this is the ground reality. The torn ACL he suffered last season complicates matters, but CBS Sports’ expert believes there's a path for both sides to benefit from a split.
Quinn's proposal sends Irving to Houston for Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a 2029 first-round pick. It was his second-most favorable selection among the Mavericks, Suns, and Rockets' picks that year. The structure hits key needs for both teams and gives each side something meaningful to work with.
"There's really only one team that makes sense and that's Houston, where he could reunite with Kevin Durant," Quinn wrote in his trade breakdown. The Rockets already have their hands full with draft capital, so parting with a conditional future first wouldn't sting much.
Plus, Amen Thompson is doing a great job filling in for Fred VanVleet at running point, and Finney-Smith hasn't even suited up yet after coming over from Brooklyn.
For Dallas, getting VanVleet back gives them a serviceable veteran guard who can start alongside Flagg while the rebuild takes shape. Finney-Smith returns to where he started his career, and that 2029 pick essentially gives the Mavs back control of their own selection depending on how Phoenix shakes out.
The financial puzzle pieces fit too. VanVleet holds a no-trade clause, but Quinn argues Dallas might actually be a better landing spot for him than Houston right now.
Irving's trade bonus is another potential speed bump, but history shows stars waive those perks when they see greener pastures ahead. Anthony Davis did exactly that when he landed in Dallas last February.
As for Houston, landing Irving would immediately put them in Oklahoma City's weight class for championship contention. However, the Mavs likely don't move on from Irving that easily.
Irving is a player who not only understands what it takes to be great on the court but he also brings value off the court.
They can’t afford to trade him that easily. Many experts think Dallas ownership would wait before taking any significant step before making any call on breaking up their aging core.
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