Most NBA executives are analytics- or scouting-based (Brad Pitt in Moneyball, Clint Eastwood in Trouble with the Curve). Most also prefer drafting young players or trading for or signing veterans with a smaller learning curve. Nico Harrison, unlike most NBA executives, is flexible enough to learn from his mistakes, as shown by this offseason vs. last.
Last season, the Dallas Mavericks traded a first-round pick for brilliant but erratic big man Christian Wood, continuing a decades-long trend of undervaluing firsts. Wood has joined the Los Angeles Lakers to maximize his talents again. The Mavericks traded two second-round picks to choose Jaden Hardy; thus, it was not a recommitment to the draft.
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In this offseason, things are very different. The Mavericks tanked to keep their first-round pick, which was controversial but correct. Instead of dealing with the choice of a veteran, as most pundits thought, they used it. They traded down two positions and used the ammunition to trade back into the first to select Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the Mavericks’ most exciting wing prospect since Josh Howard (excluding Luka Doncic).
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Harrison stated, “We are listening to everything.” It’s simple to say, but he seems open to this concept. The Mavericks improved athletically during the offseason. They grew on the outside and demonstrated a variety of cognitive processes, which bodes well for the future.
This shift, of course, may seem like a man without goals flailing. Harrison may be inclined to shift course because he doesn’t know what he wants. Beauty, or exceptional leadership, is subjective. A pessimist may consider this path change as a sign that Harrison has no strong ideals, but it shows a man knowledgeable enough to learn from his failures.
All decision-makers make mistakes, no matter how big. Perhaps the greatest NBA executive, Red Auerbach, overruled his staff to choose Joe Forte over Tony Parker. The key is that executives make more excellent than bad decisions. Being flexible is one way to do that.
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Harrison is open to new ideas because he is not tied to either background. He did not make millions by studying mathematical probabilities like Haralabos Voulgaris or spend decades scouting high school sports for outstanding players like Adam Sandler in Hidden Gems.
Harrison negotiates. He was responsible for that at Nike. When they took over, the Mavericks were stuck with a roster, but they’ve made huge transactions the last two seasons. His flexibility gives him the freedom few executives have. And that independence allowed him to have a great offseason, which has prepared the Mavericks for the next season and beyond.
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