The NBA offseason is moving toward the start of a new season, and several teams are entering training camp with major questions still hanging over their rosters.

For the Dallas Mavericks, the biggest question revolves around Kyrie Irving and what his return from a serious knee injury could mean for the franchise. In Charlotte, Coby White is preparing for a much larger role after the departure of LaMelo Ball. Meanwhile, the defending champion New York Knicks appear ready to keep the core of their successful lineup intact.

Here are three NBA storylines worth watching as the new season approaches.

Kyrie Irving’s Future Could Depend on His Comeback

The Dallas Mavericks have not indicated that they are actively shopping Kyrie Irving. In fact, the team has continued to treat the veteran guard as an important part of its plans.

However, Irving’s trade value could become an interesting topic if Dallas eventually changes course.

A Western Conference executive recently suggested that teams may not be willing to give up a huge package for Irving right now. His age, contract situation and injury history are all factors that could affect his market.

Irving is 34 and is working his way back after suffering a torn ACL. He missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from the injury, making his return one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Mavericks heading into the new campaign.

According to the executive’s assessment, Irving could attract first-round-pick interest if he returns to the court and once again looks like the elite scorer he has been throughout his career.

The expectation would be different if Irving struggles physically or fails to regain his previous form. In that scenario, teams could become much more cautious about giving Dallas significant assets in exchange for an older guard coming off a major injury.

Irving’s contract is another part of the equation. He signed a three-year, $119 million extension with Dallas in 2025, with a player option for the 2027-28 season.

For the Mavericks, however, there may be little reason to make a move simply for the sake of making one.

If Irving returns healthy and produces at an All-Star level, his value could rise substantially. Trading him before that happens could mean selling an important asset at a lower price than Dallas might eventually receive.

Coby White Has a Much Bigger Job in Charlotte

Coby White entered Charlotte’s plans as a player who could provide scoring and ball-handling when LaMelo Ball was unavailable.

That role has now changed dramatically.

After the Hornets traded Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, White is positioned to enter the season as Charlotte’s starting point guard. The Hornets also rewarded him with a three-year, $74 million contract, showing how important they believe he can be to the team’s next phase.

White averaged 15.6 points and 3.0 assists in 21 games for Charlotte after arriving from Chicago last season.

There is also some evidence suggesting that White can handle a larger offensive responsibility.

In a 140-minute sample last season when both Ball and Sion James were off the court, Charlotte outscored opponents by 18.3 points per 100 possessions with White serving as the primary creator.

That number is encouraging, but the sample is far too small to guarantee that the same level of performance will continue over an entire NBA season.

White’s broader playmaking numbers also show why Charlotte cannot simply expect him to replace everything Ball provided. Several of his passing-related metrics ranked below the 40th percentile among guards.

That is why the Hornets have added more ball-handling help around him.

Charlotte acquired veteran guard Dennis Schroder from the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the team another experienced option to organize the offense. Sion James and rookie Christian Anderson could also help reduce some of the pressure on White.

The upcoming season will therefore be a major test for White. He has already shown that he can contribute to Charlotte’s offense in a limited role. Now he has an opportunity to prove that he can handle the responsibility of being the team’s primary point guard.

Knicks Are Expected to Stick With Their Championship Core

The New York Knicks have little reason to completely reinvent a lineup that just delivered a championship.

Head coach Mike Brown is expected to continue with a starting group featuring Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The more important question may not be who starts, but how Brown distributes the minutes among his key players.

Brown frequently staggered Brunson and Towns last season instead of keeping both stars on the floor together for every stretch. That strategy allowed Brunson to control portions of the offense while Towns could lead another group when Brunson went to the bench.

There is a good chance that approach will remain part of New York’s offensive strategy.

The Knicks also have several versatile players who can be moved around depending on the matchup. Hart, Bridges and Anunoby can be used in different combinations, giving Brown plenty of flexibility.

Andre Drummond is also expected to absorb some of the center minutes that previously went to Mitchell Robinson.

Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet and Pacome Dadiet give the Knicks additional options for the second unit.

What These Three NBA Storylines Mean

For Dallas, the priority is simple: find out what Kyrie Irving looks like when he is fully healthy again before making any major decision about his future.

For Charlotte, the pressure is now on Coby White. The Hornets have invested financially in him, and his performance at point guard could have a major impact on the team’s offensive identity.

And for New York, there is no obvious reason to abandon a formula that already produced a championship. The biggest challenge for Mike Brown will be finding the right combinations and keeping his stars effective throughout the season.

All three situations could become significantly more interesting once the regular season begins. Irving’s health, White’s transition into a full-time starting role and Brown’s lineup decisions are three storylines that could shape the direction of their respective teams.

Final Takeaway

The NBA offseason is rarely just about blockbuster trades. Sometimes the most important developments are about players returning from injuries, young or veteran players stepping into expanded roles, and championship teams deciding how much they should change.

Kyrie Irving’s comeback could determine his future value in Dallas. Coby White now has the chance to establish himself as Charlotte’s lead guard. And the Knicks will try to prove that continuity can be just as valuable as another major roster move.

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