The Minnesota Timberwolves may finally be ready to chase the kind of aggressive, franchise-shifting move that signals theyâre done playing it safe. And the former NBA champion tied to them is no fringe name, it’s Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving.
The 33-year-old All-Star is still recovering from a torn left ACL, but league chatter suggests he could be the missing piece for a Wolves team sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings. With Minnesota at 15-9 and within striking distance of the No. 2 seed, the question is simple: Is this the moment to pair Anthony Edwards with a high-octane, championship-tested ball handler?
Why Kyrie Irving Makes Sense in Minnesota
The Timberwolvesâ core of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert has looked as strong as any in the conference. Edwards continues to rise as one of the NBAâs most dynamic young stars. Gobert is still elite defensively. Randle has fit in better than expected. McDaniels remains a top-flight wing defender. But Minnesotaâs real issue is obvious. They simply donât have a point guard who can tilt games.
Mike Conley, age 38, has shifted to a bench role after a steep decline. Donte DiVincenzo starts at point guard, but heâs naturally an off-guard who thrives as a secondary threat. And while Edwards often initiates the offense, heavy creation responsibilities can cap your ceiling in a playoff setting.
Thatâs precisely why Irvingâs name has surfaced. According to longtime NBA reporter Brandon âScoop Bâ Robinson, a Timberwolves source said, âAnt has a mutual respect for Kyrie⦠If Kyrie came it would be sweet.â
Irving remains an elite offensive engine when healthy. Last season in Dallas, he averaged 24.7 points on 47.3 percent shooting from the field, 40.1 percent shooting from three and 91.6 shooting from the free throw line along with 4.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He still bends defenses in ways few guards can. And Edwards has privately expressed interest in playing with him.
For a team that already owns a top-five defense, adding an All-Star-level creator could shift Minnesota from âgoodâ to âtitle-ready.â
What A Kyrie Trade Would Look Like
A recent proposal from Fadeaway World writer Fran Leiva outlines the kind of package it might take:
Timberwolves receive:
Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum
Mavericks receive:
Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Joan Beringer, Bones Hyland, 2026 first-round pick swap
This is the quintessential âall-inâ play. Minnesota keeps Edwards, McDaniels, Randle, and Gobertâthe defensive identity and offensive priority remain untouched. But the cost is significant. Naz Reid is one of the leagueâs best backup bigs. Conley is the teamâs veteran compass. Hyland is erratic but talented. And Beringer is a developmental forward the franchise likes.
Still, moves like this are about ceiling, not comfort. Irving next to Edwards gives Minnesota its most dangerous backcourt in franchise history. The fit is clean, the talent is undeniable, and the Wolvesâ title window aligns with Edwardsâ superstardom.
Why the Kyrie Pivot Matters After the Ja Morant Rumor Died
Minnesotaâs name had been quietly floating around Ja Morant chatter earlier this season, but that door has officially slammed shut. As NBA insider Brandon âScoop Bâ Robinson reported, sources close to Morant insist he intends to stay in Memphis, and the Grizzlies have made it clear they arenât shopping their franchise star. With that path closed, the Timberwolves must look elsewhere for the kind of primary ball handler who can elevate a contender.
Thatâs where Kyrie Irving comes into focus. With Morant off the table and Rob Dillingham not ready for a larger role, Irving stands as the most attainable and impactful guard Minnesota could realistically pursue. And the stakes couldnât be clearer. The Timberwolves are closer to true contention than theyâve been in decades. Anthony Edwards is ascending, the defense is championship-caliber, and the supporting core is strong. What they lack is the one thing Irving provides at an elite level: a closer who can organize late-game offense and take pressure off Edwards against playoff defenses.
A healthy Irving changes Minnesotaâs ceiling instantly. This is the type of swing that either positions the Wolves to win the West or becomes the kind of gamble that reshapes the franchiseâs long-term flexibility. But for the first time in a long time, Minnesota appears willing to take that risk because their window is real, and their superstar is ready.
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