“I’m so f—ing happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth,” James told his co-host, JJ Redick, on an episode of their “Mind the Game” podcast released Tuesday. “I’m so f—ing mad at the same time that I’m not his running mate anymore.”

James and Irving played three seasons together with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to ’17, making it to three straight Finals and winning the championship in 2016, with Irving hitting the title-clinching 3-pointer in Game 7 to beat the Golden State Warriors.

“I just remember those times,” James said.

Irving requested a trade out of Cleveland in the summer of 2017, in part to be able to showcase his game out from under James’ shadow.

Irving was dealt to Boston and a couple of seasons later, the two stars developed a deeper appreciation for each other when Irving reconnected with James for guidance on how to lead the young Celtics the way the four-time MVP had led the Cavs.

The Lakers’ offer centered on Russell Westbrook and two future first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, sources told ESPN.

James, who openly lobbied for L.A. to acquire Irving, lamented the point guard landing with the Mavs at the time.

“I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent, but [also] someone that I had great chemistry with, and know I got great chemistry with on the floor, that can help you win championships, in my mind, in my eyes,” James told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon last February.

While the Celtics are the favorites in the Finals (-225, according to ESPN BET), James said that Irving’s presence makes the Mavericks more than just an underdog. Specifically, James said Irving’s performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, when the 13-year veteran scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half to jump on the Minnesota Timberwolves, made him reconsider Dallas’ chances this postseason.

“That was like, ‘Oh s—, Dallas may be able to not only win the Western Conference finals, they might be able to win the whole thing,'” James said. “Because of that [Irving] wild card. … He’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.”

Irving, 32, is averaging 22.8 points on 48.5% shooting (42.1% from 3) with 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game this postseason as the Mavs’ No. 2 option behind Luka Doncic.

“To have a guy like Kyrie Irving as the ultimate wild card,” James said. “It’s like having a Draw 4 in your hand every time someone deals you cards in Uno.”

The Dallas Mavericks have signed general manager Nico Harrison to a multiyear contract extension.

The Mavericks announced the deal Tuesday, two days before they play the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Terms of the extension were not disclosed.

Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont praised Harrison in a statement released by the team, saying he “has demonstrated his leadership and capabilities.”

“His vision, along with his efforts on behalf of our players and staff have propelled our team to two playoff appearances in three seasons and of course this year’s NBA Finals,” Dumont said.

Harrison is completing his third season as Mavs GM and is the architect of a Dallas team that has reached the NBA Finals for just the third time in franchise history.

The Mavs extended Harrison one month after also agreeing to an extension with coach Jason Kidd, who was hired on the same day as Harrison in June 2021.

“Patrick and his family have accepted me as their own from day one and I am honored to work alongside them, as well as Jason Kidd, as we continue to build a winning culture in Dallas,” Harrison said in a statement.

Harrison, a longtime Nike executive before joining the Mavericks, has completely overhauled the roster of a Dallas franchise that failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in the previous 10 seasons before his arrival.

Under Harrison, the Mavericks have agreed to long-term deals with stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Nets in February 2023.

Harrison also executed last year’s draft night trade for impact rookie center Dereck Lively II and then made significant upgrades to Dallas’ roster at this year’s trade deadline with the acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.