Mavericks' Kyrie Irving details how he and Cooper Flagg have handled offseason trade chatter

Mavericks' Kyrie Irving details how he and Cooper Flagg have handled offseason trade chatter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Dallas Mavericks have gotten off to a pretty solid start to the season as they continue trying to figure out what to do with their roster, specifically Kyrie Irving’s future. The Mavericks are in a unique position, with their two stars at very different points in their careers.Throughout the summer, Irving has been the subject of trade speculation because of the 15-year age gap between him and Cooper Flagg.“The Mavericks, as we've been writing since mid-June, have consistently swatted away trade interest this offseason in nine-times-an-All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Rival teams, however, continue to wonder aloud about how firmly Dallas will stick to that stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 gradually approaches. The primary factor fueling that curiosity, of course, is that fact that Irving is 34 and Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is 19. Not your average age gap between the team's two best players," The Stein Line's Marc Stein wrote.If it ever came to that point, NBA insider Marc Spears believes Irving would be granted his wish.“Masai also has a really good relationship as you mentioned with Kyrie Irving. I think it's the kind of relationship where if Kyrie says, hey, Masai, like, this isn't for me, I think they could work together to get something done. I don't think would be something ugly. I think there would be interest in Kyrie if he's as healthy as he looks," Spears said.Recently, Irving revealed how he and Flagg have been handling the outside noise surrounding a potential trade.“We are still growing,” Irving said. “We still have a level we want to get to — a higher level. We are going to continue to push each other. We obviously know the external chatter as well and the 15-year age gap and what we are going to accomplish and how we are going to mesh. I think we threw all that out the window and just really focused on what we can control, which is our effort and how we treat each other.”It is clear that the duo is focused on the present rather than what could happen over the next few months as the season progresses. If Dallas continues to play at this level, there may be no reason to consider a trade.However, Irving remains the Mavericks' biggest trade asset in terms of what they could receive in return. For now, Irving and Flagg are continuing to build their chemistry, and if an opportunity for a playoff run presents itself, they will have already developed a strong connection on the court.More NBA news:NBA insider says Thunder look mentally beat amid injuries to Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, ChetWarriors reportedly reveal Steph Curry's status for Clippers game after win over Lakers76ers reveal injury status for LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid vs. HornetsThunder to no longer sign ex-Raptors guard, former first-rounder amid Chet Holmgren injury update