Nico Harrison's blueprint for perfect Mavericks summer starts with 1 obvious move

Everything changed in Dallas just under three months ago when Nico Harrison decided to trade Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, and the aftershock of the trade likely won't ever simmer down.

This move has been described by some as the worst trade in sports history, and Mavs fans have been calling for Harrison's job ever since it went down on that February 1 evening just before midnight. No one could believe that Harrison would trade Doncic that easily and for that type of return, and he will be defined by the Doncic trade when it's all said and done.

With this trade, Harrison shortened Dallas' title window from 10 years with a young superstar leading the way to about three years with an older team, and immense pressure now sits on Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis' shoulders to lead the team back to the NBA Finals. Harrison has the chance to make some moves around the edges to put this team in a spot to contend for a title over the summer through the draft and free agency, and it all starts with one free agency move that is staring him in the face.

Re-signing Irving is the one move Harrison can't afford to botch

All signs are pointing to the Mavs signing Irving to a massive three-year deal, and due to Dallas' situation without Doncic, he has all the leverage. Dallas can't afford to lose another star player, and even after tearing his ACL last season, it seems like Irving will be able to virtually name his price, and the Mavs will be forced to take it. Harrison traded for Davis to pair him with Irving, and them only getting to play three quarters together before being split up would throw a major wrench into his vision.

Losing Irving in free agency would be a catastrophe, and the Mavericks have to do whatever they can to make sure that he remains in Dallas. All signs are pointing to this happening, as Harrison has tremendous admiration for Irving and Irving seems to genuinely enjoy living in Dallas and playing for the Mavericks, but just as we saw this season with the Doncic trade, anything can happen in the NBA at the most unexpected times.

Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the NBA offseason and free agency, and Harrison must make sure that the first move he makes this offseason is signing Irving to a three-year deal as soon as he can. Knocking this move out first would allow Harrison to strategically build the roster around Irving and Davis, and it would destroy any uncertainty around Irving not returning.

This move must be the first domino to fall this summer, and time will tell how much he values Irving's future in Dallas when free agency begins on June 30. He made it clear that he fully expects Irving to sign with the Mavericks during the end-of-season press conference last week, and Irving sharing a similar mindset would allow Dallas to build the best possible roster to try to chase a title.

"Kyrie is a big part of what our future is," Harrison said last week. "That’s not going to change whether he opts in or opts out."

This is the exact move that Harrison needs to earn some respect among fans, players, and figures around the league, as it would show his loyalty to Irving, even when he is coming off an ACL tear at 33 years old. Irving's impact on the game stretches far beyond the hardwood in Dallas, as his leadership in the locker room has been a game-changer for his entire tenure, and he is also someone who can help recruit free agents to sign with the Mavs in the future.

Irving means more to the organization and the city than anyone realizes, and Harrison would make everything easier on himself for the rest of the offseason if he locks him up early. With Dallas' playmaking issues and guard depth crisis, keeping Irving with the Mavericks is something that must happen to give the Mavs a shot at contending for a title.