The Dallas Mavericks announced Tuesday that they have signed general manager Nico Harrison to a multi-year contract extension, just two days before the Mavs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.
“Nico Harrison has demonstrated his leadership qualities in the Dallas Mavericks organization,” said Mavs owner Patrick Dumont said in a statement. “His vision, along with his efforts on behalf of our players and staff, have propelled our team to two playoff appearances in three seasons and, of course, this year’s NBA Finals. We are proud to have him join us for the long term is part of our team.” term, and we are excited to see him continue to build on the foundation of the success he helped create.”
Harrison, a former collegiate and European basketball player, spent nearly two decades at Nike before the Mavs hired him in June 2021. He didn’t have the background of a traditional NBA executive and minority owner Mark Cuban (who was then the majority owner) is because he gave him a chance.
“I am incredibly grateful to Patrick and the entire Dumont and Adelson family for their continued trust and to Mark for his willingness to hire an unconventional candidate,” Harrison said in the team’s statement. “Patrick and his family have accepted me as theirs from day one and I am honored to work alongside them, as well as Jason Kidd, as we continue to build a winning culture in Dallas.”
With Luka Doncic’s extension still to be worked out, the 51-year-old Harrison was thrown into the fire almost immediately after arriving in Dallas. But he survived unscathed and secured Doncic a record-breaking rookie supermax deal that would keep them contenders for years to come. The Mavs have gone 140-106 under his leadership.
This isn’t the first contract extension the Mavs have signed during the playoffs. After beating the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1 a month ago, they also gave head coach Jason Kidd a multi-year extension.
The Mavs will take on the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.
