Nico Harrison, along with new Dallas Mavericks’ CEO Rick Welts, held an hour-long session Tuesday morning with a select group of Dallas-based media. The controversial trade of Luka Doncic for a package headlined by Anthony Davis dominated the discussion. Harrison’s only other media availability since the trade was a brief pregame session the following day in Cleveland
“There’s no regrets on the trade,” said Harrison. “Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future, and some of the decisions I’m going to make are going to be unpopular. That’s my job and I have to stand by it.”
Harrison was asked about the widespread criticism he has received from Mavericks’ fans since the trade.
“Well, the beauty of Dallas is it is a passionate fan base,” Harrison said. “For us to reach our goals, we need that fan base. And to be honest with you, every trade I’ve made since I’ve been here has not been regarded as a good trade, and so sometimes it takes time. When I traded for Kyrie, it was met with a lot of skepticism and it was graded as a terrible trade and you didn’t see it right away, but eventually everyone agreed that that was a great trade. When I traded for [Gafford] and [Washington] again, it was like, ‘Oh, he gave up way too much. These guys aren’t going to help us.’ Now that trade, you saw the evidence a lot sooner. So I think a lot of times trades take a little bit of time.
“But our philosophy, like I said, going forward is defense wins championships and we’re built on defense. And this trade cements us for that.”
When the Mavericks made the trade, Harrison referenced a “three- to four-year timeframe” to compete for a title. The season-ending injury to Kyrie Irving impacts their title hopes this year and possibly next season.
“We believe in the move we made,” Harrison said when asked how the logic of a timeframe that ends as the team enters a stretch when it doesn’t control its first-round picks is in the franchise’s long-term best interests. “You obviously don’t, and that’s fine. You’re entitled to your opinions, but we’re excited. … I think once we win, then that will change your mind.”
Harrison also was asked if he sees himself remaining as general manager of the Mavericks beyond that timeframe.
“I have three years left of my contract. I see myself finishing it out,” said Harrison.