The Miami Heat are actively monitoring Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving as a potential trade target while the team sits at 0-4 to open the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Charania said Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show that “there’s a slew of teams now that are monitoring Kyrie Irving.” He added that the Heat, given their recent moves, fit the profile of a club that will stay involved.
“I’m sure knowing the Heat, they’re going to be monitoring Kyrie Irving,” Charania said.
He questioned whether Miami has enough remaining assets after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
“I believe they have one first-round pick eligible to be traded. Is that enough to get Kyrie Irving? My sense is probably not.”
The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo in the offseason expecting to contend immediately. Four games in, the roster has not clicked. Miami is averaging 109.0 points per game, ranking 27th in the league, and has allowed 121.8 points per game. The point guard spot has drawn particular attention, with Davion Mitchell handling starting duties while the team searches for more consistent creation.
Irving, 34, is averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists through three games. He is shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 32.0 percent from three and 100 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers come after he missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in March 2025. He is earning $39.5 million this season and holds a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28.
Dallas entered the year hoping to pair Irving with 19-year-old Cooper Flagg and push for the playoffs. Early results have been mixed, and the age gap has fueled speculation that the Mavericks could move Irving before the February deadline to accelerate a younger timeline. Multiple reports indicate rival teams continue to check in on the situation.
Any deal for Irving would require salary matching under the league’s trade rules. A package built around Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins would get Miami close to Irving’s number. Because the Heat already sent three first-round picks and a pick swap to acquire Antetokounmpo, Dallas would likely demand additional young talent such as Nikola Jovic or Pelle Larsson.
The Eastern Conference has already shown depth at the top. The Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers have started strong, and several other teams are positioned to challenge the New York Knicks. Miami risks falling further behind if the current issues persist into November.
Team president Pat Riley has a long history of making aggressive midseason moves when the roster needs a spark. Adding Irving would create a new core of Irving, Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. That group would give Miami a proven half-court creator alongside two of the league’s better frontcourt players.
Still, the price remains the central obstacle. Charania’s assessment that Miami’s remaining draft capital may fall short aligns with earlier reporting that the Heat are asset-depleted. Even a legal framework involving Wiggins, Mitchell and a young prospect may not satisfy Dallas if other teams can offer cleaner packages.
Irving’s health and production early in the season have kept the rumors alive. He logged 33 minutes and scored 18 points in Monday’s win over Miami, showing he can handle regular minutes after the long layoff. The Mavericks have managed his knee carefully on back-to-backs, but he has been available when needed.
League executives expect the situation to develop closer to the deadline if Dallas continues to hover around the play-in range. Miami, meanwhile, is scheduled to play at Atlanta on Wednesday night still searching for its first win. The Heat will continue evaluating external options while they try to stabilize internally.
A trade is not guaranteed, and Dallas has publicly expressed interest in keeping Irving alongside Flagg for now. But Charania’s comments confirm that the Heat are among the teams watching closely. If the losses mount and the point-guard production stays inconsistent, the monitoring could turn into more serious conversations before February.
