Nico Harrison Breaks Silence on Kyrie Irving’s Future as Mavs GM Sends Final Message to Luka Doncic

Villain for many, hero for none, the Dallas Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison, showed up before the media. At the end of the season press conference, he sat in a white outfit, the franchise’s logo proudly on his chest. Was he expecting the questions to be simple? Surely not. After sending away Luka Doncic to the Lakers, how could the inquisitive minds stay put? However, his worries aren’t limited to Luka. Now, given the injury-stricken squad, many wanted to know about Kyrie Irving.

Earlier in March, the veteran point guard tore his ACL, bringing an early and abrupt end to his 2024-25 NBA season. Most importantly, he’s out indefinitely and would most likely miss a major part of the next season. “We fully expect to have Kyrie back with us next year. When he gets healed from his injury, we believe we’ll be competing for a championship,” Nico Harrison told the media.

Thus, the next question came about his contract. Kai has a player option for 2025-26 and can become a free agent after the season. He is currently signed for a 3-year, $120 million contract with the Mavericks. So, how is Nico planning to deal with the situation if Irving decides to opt out? “Kyrie is a big part of what our future is, and that’s not going to change. Whether he opts in or opts out, those are substantive discussions. He saw the vision,” Harrison confirmed.

He also noted: “It’s too early to speculate what Kyrie’s gonna do. But what I do feel is going to happen—he’s going to be a Maverick next year. He’s gonna be out a significant portion of next season.” Simply put, Nico Harrison isn’t ready to risk another trade after Luka. And yes, the Mavs surely need Kai on the floor more than any other player. Meanwhile, the reporter asks if the team needs to find new ways to generate offense while Kyrie is out and how they plan to do it.

“Well, one, I feel good. You can’t replace Kyrie through free agency. He’s too good a player,” the Mavs GM proudly stated. “We have a really deep, versatile bench, and some of those guys will have to create. They’ll have to create the void. It’s going to be by committee. We’ll use free agency, and then we’ll also use the draft.” Back up available for Dallas, but a replacement for Kyrie? No! Not a chance!

Now, that’s all about Kyrie Irving. What’s going on with Luka Doncic? Did Nico Harrison push out his brightest star in the blink of an eye and forget him? Surely not. In fact, he sent a last message for the Slovenian Sensation.

Nico Harrison’s final message for Luka Doncic after confirming plans for Kyrie Irving

Letting go of your biggest NBA star is the quickest way to light a fire under your fan base. On Monday, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison found himself at the center of that blaze, confessing he underestimated just how deeply Dallas had fallen for Luka Doncic. The Mavericks Nation is still fuming after their crown jewel vanished to the Lakers in a move that felt more like a magic trick than a trade.

Meanwhile, Luka, who didn’t talk much about his trade, stated, “I never say anything bad about him, and I just want to move on.” What does Nico have to say about it? “I feel the same way he does; I’ve actually never spoken ill of Luka at all. I’m just ready to move on with the team that we have,” Harrison clarified. So, dusting off the last bits, the GM wants to move ahead and make the required decision to rebuild the team for next season.

Luka’s gone, and that wound still stings. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving’s staying—for now—but even that feels fragile. Nico Harrison says he’s ready to move on, but the fans? Not so easily. Now, with trust to rebuild and dreams to chase, the Mavericks have no choice but to rise from the heartbreak.