Mark Cuban breaks silence on Kyrie Irving trade, fit with Luka Doncic

On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving in ablockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Dallas sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029first-round pick and multiple second-round picks in exchange forthe eight-time All-Star.

In his first comments since the trade, Mavericks owner MarkCuban spoke to Basketball News about how Luka Doncic and Irvingwill fit together.

"I think this is going to be great for both of them," Cuban toldBasketball News. "They can play off of each other and given thatboth can get where they want on the court, it's going to put a tonof pressure on defenses."

The Mavericks were determined to get a star running mate forDoncic — someone who can help carry the offensive burden. Doncicand Irving should form one of the most entertaining one-two punchesin the NBA.

Doncic and Irving were both named All-Star starters recently.Doncic is averaging 33.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 2.8threes and 1.5 steals on .504/.353/.728 shooting splits, whileIrving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds pergame on .486/.374/.883 shooting splits.

The Mavericks are 28-26, which is the sixth-best record in theWestern Conference. Dallas boasts the NBA's eighth-best offense(scoring 113.3 points per 100 possessions) and 23rd-best defense(allowing 112.6 points per 100 possessions).

After acquiring Irving, the Mavs' championship odds went from33/1 (eighth in the West) to 10/1 (second in the West, trailingonly the Denver Nuggets), according to BetOnline.