Dusty May has already inherited a Kyrie Irving headache several coaches know about

Dusty May has left the Michigan Wolverines and will be coaching the Dallas Mavericks for the foreseeable future. That much we know. Now the question is how long will Kyrie Irving be part of that future.

As the former Michigan coach prepares for the biggest challenge of his career, questions will circle around the highly-talented, but mercurial point guard. When the 2026-27 NBA season rolls around in October, Irving is expected to return to the floor for the first time since tearing his left ACL in March 2026.  All that speculation gives Kendrick Perkins plenty of reason to believe that Irving may start the season with Dallas, but he won't be there very long, if he's healthy. 

"I don't expect him to be on the Mavericks come trade deadline," Perkins said. "I expect somebody to go out there and pursue Kyrie. I expect Minnesota or the Detroit Pistons to get aggressive."

Kyrie Irving trade rumors will define Dusty May's first few months in Dallas

There are a lot of good things about the Mavericks job and it's easy to understand why May took it. The team will have a new arena in a few years and by then Cooper Flagg will be approaching the prime of his career and ascending into superstardom. Dallas just drafted forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick to add to the influx of Wolverines in the organization. Irving presents a major trade piece that should give May additional resources to build a roster that meets his vision. 

READ MORE: 3 takeaways from Michigan's historic first-round of the NBA draft

However, the Irving situation is going to test May quickly. He has to play Irving to prove to teams that he's healthy and increase his trade value. But May probably won't want to play him too much because it's going to take minutes away from the younger talent that he will be developing over the next few years. And if Irving has been known to go off script from time to time. Remember this is a guy that didn't want to play with LEBRON JAMES! Irving probably still feels like he should be the focal point of a playoff contender and that isn't going to happen in Dallas. Flagg is the guy they are building around. 

May has always been known as a coach that values strong relationships with his players, and he's going to have a short window to build trust with Irving in a way that will benefit both of them over the long run. 

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