The Mavericks' front office is in full damage-control mode. Nico Harrison took a big swing and struck out in spectacular fashion. However, I will play devil’s advocate in my belief that it will take some time to see the full scope of what Dallas can be post-Luka Doncic. But Moses didn’t get to enter the promised land, and Nico Harrison will not be around to see his vision become a reality after he was fired on Tuesday.
A healthy duo of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, combined with Cooper Flagg and company, is a team (on paper) that can battle against the best of the best. But Irving and Davis have both battled injury demons long before they arrived in Dallas. Their most recent injuries have left Klay Thompson powerless, and the keys to the kingdom are now prematurely thrust in 18-year-old Cooper Flagg’s hands. Championship aspirations were tenuous at best. But a deep playoff run could have been a nice band-aid to stop the bleeding.
Now, that goal seems… almost laughable. A pipe dream. Sitting second to last in the Western Conference, Dallas’ season seems doomed before it started. Unless Dirk Nowitzki finds the fountain of youth and suits up next game. So what’s next? How do the Mavs salvage the season? How do they pave a road to success in the coming years?
The Mavericks must practice patience to regain their championship form
With honesty. Patience. And transparency. Mavs Owner Patrick Dumont promised as much in an open letter he recently published to the Mavericks’ fanbase.
It’s time for Dallas to admit they are playing the long game. Expectations need to be tempered. Especially for the sake of Flagg’s confidence moving forward. However, Dallas needs to remain competitive while Flagg is still on his rookie deal if they hope he will be the next stalwart in Maverick lore.
If Flagg is to be the consolation prize for the Nico Harrison fiasco, then he needs to be protected at all costs and allowed to grow and adjust the same way Mark Cuban allowed Nowitzki to endure his own growing pains before finding stardom and delivering Dallas their lone NBA championship at age 32.
But this? Whatever this is? It’s not working. The “Fire Nico” chants raining down in crunch time of close games was the final straw. Dallas fans won’t forget what was done to them. So it’s time to be transparent and let the fans know that it’s going to take time.
The path moving forward is to give Flagg time to grow, see if Irving wants to stay for the rebuild in a sensei/mentor type role, and figure out what a brittle Davis, an over-the-hill Thompson, and inconsistent D’Angelo Russell fetch on the trade market. Then build from there.
Dallas seems on pace to get another high lottery pick in 2026 that could help form a young core with Flagg and Dereck Lively II. So there is a subtle upside if all parties remain patient. I can see the light.
The Mavericks also need to decide if they are going to keep Daniel Gafford and his team-friendly contract or flip him for some immediate help on the perimeter for shot creation and shooting that they desperately need. Dallas taking a long-term approach makes it easier to move him. Lively II seems to be the likely long-term choice for the center spot due to his age (21) and potential upside. But his development on the offensive end is going to be vital for Dallas to improve.
I understand we live in a microwave society where we like things done immediately. But the next offering served by Dallas’ front office needs to be a slow roast that’s allowed to marinate over the next few seasons. Microwave moments just won’t do anymore.