Rockets predicted to trade for Mavericks' $118M veteran NBA champion to reunite with Kevin Durant

The Dallas Mavericks are going to be a team to watch early in the season, but not for the reason many might think. It isn't about whether Dallas wins or loses; it's about the direction the franchise decides to take.

Kyrie Irving has been involved in trade speculation all summer, and that is likely to continue. However, Irving has been clear that he wants to stay with the Mavericks.

"I'm not gonna shy away from saying it's been a little chaotic at times, inside the locker room as well as outside…I'm in love with this place just because of how welcoming it was, not just from the franchise aspect but also the fans, lot of support around the city…We're building something…Having that championship mindset that whatever we face we can deal with," Irving said.

If the team reaches a point where it is struggling and Irving wants out, there is a belief that the Mavericks would grant his request.

"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," NBA insider Marc Spears said.

If a trade does come into the picture, CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes Irving could be traded to the Houston Rockets for a reunion with Kevin Durant.

"He's 34 and his team's franchise player is 19. Timeline issues don't need to be deal-breakers, but the Mavericks don't control their own first-round pick again until 2031. They have to find longer-term assets where they can, and Irving is their most desirable trade piece. How does a reunion with Kevin Durant in Houston sound," Quinn wrote.

The duo still believe they should have won an NBA Finals during their time with the Brooklyn Nets , but that never happened. Now, they could have another opportunity to make a run in the Western Conference.

Irving is in the final year of his $118 million contract with the Mavericks . With Dallas in need of valuable draft capital, trading Irving could make sense if the franchise decides to move in a different direction.