The Dallas Mavericks’ hiring of Nico Harrison as normal supervisor in 2021 got here after a swift courtship by proprietor Mark Cuban, who made the transfer regardless of initially participating the search agency Sportsology to search out Donnie Nelson’s successor.
Based on league sources, influential agent Jeff Schwartz, who represents Jason Kidd and later grew to become Harrison’s agent, offered a robust advice to Cuban on Harrison’s behalf. The Nike government had no prior connection to the Mavericks group earlier than his hiring. Dallas made the considerably unconventional choice to rent a head coach earlier than a normal supervisor, however that wasn’t thought of a significant deal on the time resulting from Cuban’s outsized position in basketball operations.
Harrison’s enchantment was bolstered by his in depth league-wide relationships developed throughout his Nike tenure and the truth that the San Antonio Spurs had beforehand tried to rent him thrice with out success.
Sources informed The Stein Line that the chance to run a franchise with Luka Doncic as its centerpiece was often cited as a key think about Harrison’s choice to lastly depart Nike for an NBA entrance workplace place.
The hiring choice has taken on vital new implications following the Mavericks’ surprising Western Convention Finals look in 2024 and Harrison’s subsequent stunning choice to commerce Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
