Mavs Slam the Door on Kyrie Trade Talk as Curry, Watson Sagas Simmer

The Dallas Mavericks aren't moving Kyrie Irving. Reports keep resurfacing that other teams are dialing Dallas about the 34-year-old nine-time All-Star, and Dallas keeps hanging up. The working plan is for Irving to open next season in a Mavs uniform alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, finally kicking off his comeback from the knee surgery that shut him down in late March 2025.

That's the headline for fantasy managers: Flagg's environment is stable. He posted 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 70 games last year, good for 39.8 fantasy points per contest and our No. 34 overall rank (No. 13 among forwards). His last five games ran 3.8 fantasy points above his season average, so he's trending up heading into a full campaign.

Could things flip by the deadline? Sure. This is the NBA, and forecasting who's available six months out is a fool's errand. But nothing is happening now, and that's the version of reality you plan your roster around.

Curry Isn't Going Anywhere

The idle chatter about Stephen Curry leaving Golden State — maybe finishing up in Charlotte, where his dad played and he grew up — should be filed under wishful thinking. Curry is entering the final year of his deal at $62 million with no player option, and starting Aug. 29 he can sign a two-year extension worth roughly $135 million. If he wants that money, the Warriors will hand it over instantly.

The interesting wrinkle: Curry might delay signing not because he wants out, but because Golden State could clear $130-140 million in cap space if he cooperates. Jimmy Butler is in his last contract year, Draymond Green's next deal projects as a one-year guarantee, and Brandin Podziemski's extension is up in the air. Translation — Curry sitting on his pen could be about pressuring the front office to add talent, not about bolting the Bay.

Fantasy-wise, the Warriors' orbit is worth monitoring. Podziemski logged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists over a full 82 games (27.8 fantasy pts, our No. 114 overall). Green sits at No. 141 with 25.1 fantasy points per game, though his last five ran 3.1 below his average — a reminder that his value is fragile and streaky.

The Peyton Watson Standoff

Restricted free agency is doing what it always does — trapping a productive player with zero leverage. Denver, the only team currently over the second apron and staring down a repeater tax bill that could top $100 million, is squeezing every dollar. Watson reportedly got an initial offer around four years, $70 million ($17.5 million per).

That stung, and you can see why. Denver handed Christian Braun five years, $125 million ($25 million per) last summer, and Watson outplayed him and was arguably more essential last season. Braun, for the record, put up 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 44 games (23.8 fantasy pts, No. 155 overall) with his last five trending 2.6 above his average.

Watson's only real threat is playing the $6.5 million qualifying offer and hitting unrestricted free agency next summer — a massive gamble in a sport with real injury risk. A sign-and-trade with the Clippers or Bucks reportedly drew interest, but Denver can't take back salary while over the second apron, so that path is nearly closed. The Nuggets will need a salary-dump move eventually regardless.

The Fantasy Fallout

Winners: Flagg managers, who get a settled Dallas roster and a clean high-usage runway. Losers: anyone who bet on a Curry-to-Charlotte fairy tale — he's staying, so no bump for Hornets pieces. On Watson, the smart play is WATCH; his fantasy value is real but his role and roster are frozen until his contract resolves. And if you're deep-league desperate at guard, keep Russell Westbrook on your radar — the 37-year-old market is bone-dry, but a midseason injury or depth crisis somewhere will get him a call. Don't roster him yet; just know the number.