Mavs’ Nico Harrison "hopes" for fans' forgiveness on Luka Doncic trade after Cooper Flagg fortune
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison is hoping the team's fans forgive him for trading Luka Doncic, as it ultimately led to their Cooper Flagg fortune. The Mavericks dwindled after dealing Doncic in February to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one first-round pick, causing tremendous backlash against Harrison.
The Mavericks finished the season ninth after losing in the play-in tournament and failing to make the playoffs 10 months after making the finals. However, it gave them a slim chance to win the lottery and right their wrongs. Despite a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, the odds fell in the Mavericks' favor, landing them another generation prospect in Flagg on Wednesday during the 2025 NBA draft.
During a press conference to address the team's latest addition, Harrison said this about seeking some respite from the hostile reception he's received for the past five months:
“I’m hoping so. I’m assuming so a little bit, maybe."
Things went from bad to worse for Harrison and the Mavericks after the Doncic trade, with several unfortunate incidents that followed. New franchise centerpiece Anthony Davis got injured in his Mavericks debut. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving suffered an ACL injury in March, ruling him out for the rest of the season and potentially until January next year.
Dallas also dealt with other injury problems during that stretch and fell out of playoff contention. With 1.8% odds, it seemed unlikely for Dallas to add any centerpiece-worthy prospect in the draft.
However, the Cooper Flagg fortune saved some grace for Nico Harrison and Co., not just ending their short-term woes, but long-term too.
Nico Harrison on Cooper Flagg's ceiling in rookie season
The Mavericks will take the ideal steps in Cooper Flagg's development during his rookie season with the likes of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Mavs GM Nico Harrison revealed that Dallas won't rush his growth, but also won't slow him down, ensuring the team sticks to his timeline.
"I don't know. I don't relly think about his celing ... Our team will allow him to have that timeframe. We won't rush it. We won't slow it," Harrison said on Wednesday.
Flagg inevitably enters a timeline for the Mavericks where they are looking to contend for championships with a leader like Davis. Despite trading Luka Doncic, the team looks solid on paper with Irving and Davis leading the charge alongside Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington.