Nico Harrison is a well-known figure in Dallas, particularly among fans of the Mavericks. He has been involved in one of the most significant and controversial decisions in the history of the NBA. Harrison has extensive experience in professional sports, having worked with some of the biggest names in basketball, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki. His background is impressive, having studied at West Point and played basketball in countries such as Belgium, Japan, and Lebanon.
Harrison’s experience in the sports industry began when he joined Nike, where he eventually became the vice president of basketball operations in North America. During his 19 years with the company, he developed strong relationships with many top basketball players and executives, including Rob Pelinka, the former representative of Kobe Bryant and current general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Harrison’s personal skills and ability to connect with players and executives alike helped him build a strong network in the basketball world.
Harrison joined the Mavericks as their General Manager and President of Operations in 2021. He worked closely with coach Jason Kidd, who was not informed of the recent movements involving the trade of Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Harrison explained that the decision to trade Doncic was made to improve the team’s defense and position themselves for long-term success. He acknowledged that the decision was difficult and understood why fans might be surprised.
One notable incident during Harrison’s time at Nike was when the company lost Stephen Curry to Under Armor due to a series of errors during their meeting. Harrison has learned from such experiences and has continued to build his reputation as a skilled executive in the basketball world.
Harrison has stated that Doncic’s trade would also help the team avoid a potential problem when the player becomes eligible for a supermax contract at the end of the season. The franchise was not convinced that Doncic was worth the investment due to his frequent physical problems. Harrison’s decision to trade Doncic has been met with surprise and disappointment from fans, who have left flowers, banners, and other tokens of appreciation for the player outside the American Airlines arena. Harrison has not yet spoken to Doncic about the trade, but he understands that the player may not want to talk to him right now.