This week the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, was officially introduced to Dallas in his first press conference as a member of the Mavericks, sitting alongside GM Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd.
It was a press conference the basketball world was watching closely, not just because a generational talent was being introduced to his new organization, but because it offered the first real glimpse into the Mavericks’ future. Every question, every answer, and every glance from Flagg, Kidd and Harrison was under a microscope.
But let’s be honest, it wasn’t just about Flagg.
A huge part of the attention surrounding Friday’s presser came from the man seated to Cooper’s right, Nico Harrison, whose relationship with the fanbase has been... tense, to say the least. Ever since Harrison pulled the trigger on the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić, the face of the franchise, out of Dallas, Mavs fans have been torn between cautious optimism and flat-out outrage.
And if we’re being real, Harrison hasn’t exactly poured water on the fire.
In fact, over the past few months, he’s offered up a handful of quotes that feel like gasoline to an already-burning fanbase:
-“Defense wins championships.”
-“No regrets.”
-“Fortune favors the bold.”
And now? Well, with Friday’s press conference, Harrison might’ve added his most controversial line yet, one that sent Mavs fans right back into a frenzy:
-“I think fans finally see the vision.”
A bold statement, to say the least. ... and a misleading one.
It’s a comment that feels like a not-so-subtle nod to the idea that the Luka trade was all part of some master plan, a plan that somehow led to landing the No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. Harrison’s confidence, or arrogance, depending on who you ask, suggests he genuinely believes this was by design.
But let’s be real: The Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery.
Call it strategy if you want. Call it vision. Call it a masterclass in front-office wizardry.
Or — and most Mavs fans probably lean this way — call it what it really was: luck.
After all these controversial soundbites, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if the “Fire Nico” chants grow even louder heading into next season.
Even if Cooper Flagg blossoms into a star and the Mavericks start stacking wins, a large portion of this fanbase will still be counting down the days until Nico Harrison’s contract runs out—desperately hoping the front office doesn’t hand him an extension.
But until that day comes, one thing is certain: reporters will be glued to every microphone, every presser, and every interview—just waiting for Nico’s next quote to set the internet on fire.
Maybe Nico Harrison’s next great business decision would be some PR training.
Get more from Hayden Pustejovsky here.