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 capabilities within 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. tenure, and we are excited to see him continue to build on the foundation of success he helped establish.”
Harrison, a former college and European basketball player, spent nearly 20 years at Nike before the Mavs hired him in June 2021. He lacked the experience of a traditional NBA executive and is grateful to minority owner Mark Cuban (who was then majority owner) for giving him a chance.
“I am extremely 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 statement released by the team. “Patrick and his family have embraced me since 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, earning Doncic a record supermax rookie contract that would put them as a contender for years. The Mavs went 140-106 under his leadership.
This isn’t the first contract extension the Mavs have signed during the playoffs. After defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round a month ago, they also granted head coach Jason Kidd a multi-year extension.
The Mavs face the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.
