Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is optimistic the team CAN re-sign Kyrie Irving

Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison has expressed optimism over re-signing superstar Kyrie Irving after the point guard completed his exit interview with the team.

‘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,’ Harrison said Tuesday.   

‘That’s what gives me the optimism that he wants to be here.’ 

The Mavericks traded for Irving in January ahead of the NBA trade deadline after he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets following a failure to make progress on talks for a contract extension.

Following the trade Irving informed reporters he would not answer questions regarding his impending free agency to avoid ‘unwanted distractions.’ He was not made available to the media following the end of the Mavericks season.

Mavs General Manager Nico Harrison expressed optimism in regard to re-signing Kyrie Irving

Irving is set to be a free agent and has declined to comment on his contract status 

Despite the disappointing end to the season that saw the team go 7-18 following the trade for Irving, the Mavericks still believe he and fellow All-Star Luka Doncic can create the foundation to beomce championship contender.

‘I think the two work together,’ said Harrison. ‘I think Luka and Kai work together. I think when we have that talented of a player — that talented of two players — I think they work together,’ he added.

‘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.’

Doncic also told reporters on Sunday that he hoped Irving re-signed with the team.

‘He’s a great player. He just wants peace. It’s a great fit,’ he said. ‘I wish we can continue that chemistry, relationship—it won’t happen in a day, a week.’

Along with Harrison, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, and Mark Cuban have both also stated that Irving remains a large part of their plans for the team’s future.

‘We want to keep him,’ Cuban said before the Mavericks game against the Sacramento Kings on April 5.

Irving averaged 27.0 points and 6.0 assists in the 20 games he played for the Mavericks, despite the team’s struggles.

Fellow Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic also expressed his wishes for Irving to remain in Dallas

‘We weren’t playing very well pretty much all year,’ Harrison said. ‘We’ve been consistently inconsistent. I didn’t know if this would be like a magic pill.

‘I don’t think I had like any visions of that, but I figured it couldn’t be worse than what it was. And also, I also looked at it as a long-term play, not a short-term play. Getting this trade wasn’t for the three months.’

Irving is eligible to sign a five-year $272million contract if he remains in Dallas, while he can only sign for four-years $202m with another team due to the Mavericks holding his bird rights.