With Cooper Flagg pertaining to Dallas, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison mentioned the enjoyment around the leading choice and the state of the group this offseason.
DALLAS– Dallas Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison has actually not been a prominent male around community this previous year.
After managing the offer that sent out Luka Doncic to the Lakers, requires his shooting might be listened to throughout North Texas. Succeeding injuries to star gamers, consisting of Anthony Davis, the key item the Mavs had actually traded for, better moistened Dallas basketball followers’ assumptions and enjoyment around a franchise business simply one year eliminated from a Finals look.
Yet after that, the Mavs struck the lottery game … essentially. For the very first time in over 4 years, Dallas won the NBA Draft Lotto, safeguarding the No. 1 choice in the 2025 draft.
On Wednesday, Harrison and the Mavs moneyed in that reward by picking Cooper Flagg with the leading general choice.
After the draft, Harrison took a seat for an interview. Harrison opened the presser by explaining Flagg as a “generational ability” and the Mavericks’ capacity to select him as a “unbelievable possibility,” suitable offered Dallas obtained the choice regardless of simply 1.8% chances.
Harrison honestly recognized the Mavs’ good luck.
” I was very shocked,” Harrison claimed. “All my draft preparation as much as that factor was us remaining in the 11th placement. But you understand, points occur. Ton of money prefers the strong, so interesting points dropped our means.”
The opening inquiry had to do with Flagg’s fit with the group. Flagg is a 6-foot-9 ahead on a group with an excess of forwards. Harrison originally delayed that choice to head train Jason Kidd, however soon afterwards provided a prospective touchdown place for the novice.
” He can deal with the round, he can fire, he can make plays for individuals, he’s a great passer,” Harrison claimed of Flagg. “I assume you’re gon na see us play a various design of basketball with him and P.J. [Washington] on the wings.”
If Flagg is put on the wing as Harrison cases, that places him at either the capturing guard or tiny ahead placement. While the last is more probable, that still places 6-foot-6 P.J. Washington, an occupation ahead, in a guard duty. That likewise takes into inquiry Klay Thompson’s beginning place as a capturing guard.
Harrison was likewise continued cost-free company. The Mavericks have actually made a couple of relocations this offseason, expanding Gafford and apparently exercising a long-lasting take care of Kyrie Irving. Nonetheless, the Mavs GM went down that as Irving recuperates from a torn ACL, Dallas is seeking a gamer that can aid lead the group in his stead.
” To start with, you can not change Kyrie,” Harrison claimed. “Yet our objective will certainly be to attempt to obtain an item that assists us connect the space while he’s out … I’m not actually concerned regarding a person to run the violation. I assume we obtained sufficient individuals that can deal with the round and play numerous placements, however simply a person to obtain us arranged.”
The Mavs GM really did not call any type of names when it concerned freelances he wanted, however claimed Dallas will certainly “have [its] selection of gamer,” within the group’s monetary restrictions. Harrison stressed that “a great deal of gamers intend to come play in Dallas.”
Harrison likewise hypothesized that Flagg might possibly grab the slack left throughout Irving’s recuperation.
” I assume he’s a sufficient round trainer and a sufficient playmaker and marker that I assume he’ll have the ability to,” Harrison claimed. “Many young markers, young gamers resemble extremely ineffective. He’s extremely effective, and he makes winning plays. So I do not understand why that would certainly quit him while he’s up below.”
As a GM, Harrison remains in an arbitrary placement. In spite of a harsh 2024-25 period, the Mavericks are an affordable group rostering 3 No. 1 general choices, all-star ability and 10 gamers with Finals experience.
Subsequently, Flagg is touchdown in a much better placement than a lot of leading choices, that typically are stuck to groups much beyond playoff opinion. Many No. 1 choices likewise make “face of the franchise business” standing immediately, however with celebrities like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis currently on the lineup, Flagg will certainly need to locate a method to attract attention.
Still, Harrison claimed he’s certain that Flagg will certainly gel with his colleagues, and pointed out the gamers’ enthusiasm to have the Maine local in Dallas.
” I assume this group’s gon na welcome him,” Harrison claimed. “He did an exercise while he was below, and P.J. [Washington] existed, and I claimed, ‘Hey, P.J., you assume you individuals can play with each other?’ He resembles. ‘Oh, yeah, we can play with each other.'”
Another inquiry was aimed at Harrison’s mantra-like viewpoint following the Doncic profession: “Protection wins champions.” The press reporter asked Harrison just how Flagg suits that design of play.
” That’s our viewpoint, that’s just how we’re mosting likely to progress,” Harrison claimed. “Cooper includes in that. Anyone that’s enjoyed him play, he’s excellent on both sides of the round.”
On a non-draft day note, press reporters asked Harrison regarding reports around Mavericks head train Jason Kidd. Previously this period, the Mavs obstructed the Knicks from consulting with Kidd. New york city has been looking for a head train considering that shooting Tom Thibodeau, so reports swirled regarding Kidd’s future in Dallas.
” Exist reports still around?” Harrison asked press reporters. “I assumed I closed them down. Yes, he will certainly be the train following year.”
Kidd aided subdue those reports too, being amongst the very first to call Cooper Flagg after the choice to invite him to Dallas.
When it comes to whether the No. 1 choice will certainly aid cool down the rage followers have actually nurtured towards Harrison post-Luka profession:
” I really hope so,” Harrison claimed.
