By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Interviewed by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks Nico Harrison says that the franchise will prioritize re-signing Kyrie Irving during the free agency, after a meeting with the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets player.
“I think the things that he said along the way about how he feels here, how he feels appreciated, how he feels accepted and allowed to be himself: those are the things that he said kind of consistently. That’s what gives me the optimism that he wants to be here”, he said about the 31-year-old playmaker.
Talking about Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Luka Doncic, Nico Harrison has no doubts. “I think the two work together. I think when we have that talented of a player – that talented of two players – I think they work together. I really think it’s the players around them, kind of knowing their role with having those two guys out on the floor at the same time. I think that’s the thing that we need to work on”, the Dallas Mavericks General Manager added.
Moreover, he also spoke about Luka Doncic. “He says he wants to be here. He’s under contract, so I don’t go to sleep at night worried about, “Is Luka going to be a Maverick?” Because he is a Maverick, and he’s under contract. Obviously, if that changes, then we’ll have to reevaluate it. But I think our job really to keep Luka happy, if you will, is surrounding him with the right players to help him win. And I think Luka’s a talent that deserves that”, he finally stated on the Slovenian superstar.
The Dallas Mavericks went 7-18 following the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, ending the Regular Season out of the Play-In but the organization wants to re-sign the guard who came out of Duke University in 2011.
Luka Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game with the white-and-blue team in the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season, while Kyrie Irving had 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in 20 appearances with Dallas, shooting 94.7% at the line.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images