Dirk: 'A little unfortunate' that Noel is still a free agent

Dirk Nowitzki is hoping to see Nerlens Noel back in a Dallas Mavericks uniform sooner rather than later.

With virtually every big-name free agent already signed, the 19-year veteran admitted he's frustrated that the 23-year-old big man remains on the open market.

"We're looking forward to the future and the whole Noel situation is a little unfortunate I think," Nowitzki told Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. "We traded for him to keep him for the long run. I'm not sure what the latest is there, but I'm hoping that things will work out and he's coming back to the Mavs and we'd have a crew that at times can be very athletic - when I'm out of the game."

Noel's agent, Happy Walters, revealed in July that the Mavericks had yet to make his client a "serious offer," and that Noel was "very disappointed" with how the negotiations have unfolded.

After earning $25 million this past season, Nowitzki opted to sign a team-friendly two-year, $10-million contract this summer in hopes of helping the Mavericks retain their young core.

"Mark (Cuban) and I obviously have a close, close relationship," Nowitzki said. "Last year, he really, really took care of me as we all know. That was well-documented. And it was my time to show again that I love being here. I gave him a little bit of a deal, maybe."