Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center on March 27, 2022 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks' trade for Kyrie Irving has improved their championship odds. In the immediate aftermath of the deal, only six teams are given a better chance than the Mavericks to win the 2023 NBA Finals.

The Mavericks' championship odds went from +1900 to +1400 at FanDuel Sportsbook after the team agreed to trade for Irving. Dallas moved ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers (+1900) and Los Angeles Clippers (+1500).

Dallas is given the fourth-best odds in the Western Conference to win the NBA Finals. The defending champion Golden State Warriors (+1200) are in the Mavericks' sight.

One year after Dallas reached the conference finals, the West appears to be even more wide open. The Mavericks (28-26) are the No. 6 seed in the conference. The No. 3 seed Sacramento Kings are only two games ahead of Dallas. The No. 11 Portland Trail Blazers are currently out of the playoff picture but trail the Mavericks by just 1.5 games.

Irving becomes the best player to be a Dallas teammate of Luka Doncic, who might be the best offensive player in the league. The Mavericks' star is averaging 33.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Doncic is shooting a career-best 50.4% from the field and 35.3% from 3-point range. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season.

When Irving was the No. 2 star next to LeBron James in Cleveland, the Cavaliers made three straight NBA Finals appearances and won a championship. Irving hit the game-winning shot over the Warriors to clinch the 2016 title. The Mavericks are hoping that Irving can replicate the role that he played in Cleveland.

Those Cavs teams were more well-rounded than the current Mavericks roster. Dallas gave up their best defensive player in Dorian Finney-Smith in the trade for Irving. The Mavericks' No. 24 defensive rating could get even over their final 28 games.

The Mavericks rank ninth in offensive rating, though they are only 1.2 points per 100 possessions out of the No. 5 spot. With Irving and Doncic on the floor together, Dallas could potentially be as potent as any offense in the league.

Irving is known for being one of the league's best clutch performers, but his recent playoff resume leaves a lot to be desired. With both Irving and Kevin Durant healthy during last year's postseason, the Brooklyn Nets were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. After a brilliant 39-point performance in Game 1 of the series, Irving averaged 15.3 points on 37.2% shooting in three straight losses.

Irving's 2021 playoffs were cut short by a sprained ankle. In the 2019 playoffs with the Boston Celtics, Irving shot 38.5% from the field.

Irving has been the league's most unreliable superstar over the last half-decade. Because of injuries and various other issues, Irving hasn't played more than 54 games in any of the last four seasons. Irving last played more than 67 games in the 2016-2017 season.

The best versions of Irving and Doncic make the Mavericks championship contenders in the West. In a worst-case and more realistic scenario, Dallas won't get out of the first round.