Nico Harrison boldly exposes his hand ahead of high-stakes Mavericks summer

The Dallas Mavericks' disastrous regular season has come and gone, and fans can finally take a second to relax. Since even before Luka Doncic was shockingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, fans have dealt with crushing blow after crushing blow when it comes to injuries and off-court drama.

While it is the nature of the sport, Mavericks fans have dealt with an increased amount of bad news that will likely never be fully understood. Despite the past six months looking like a basketball fans' worst dream, Nico Harrison has an opportunity to redeem himself and the franchise this summer after getting the eleventh-best odds to receive the No. 1 pick in the NBA's Draft Lottery.

While it is a shot in the dark, the Mavericks do have less than a two percent chance of acquiring the first overall pick, which would likely be used to get Duke superstar Cooper Flagg. With this in mind, Harrison must not trade Dallas' first-round pick this summer, even if the draft selection is outside of the top 10.

It's no secret Harrison has made some very boneheaded decisions since the start of the new year, but even he understands this could be Dallas' golden ticket to scraping together a championship-level team again.

Nico Harrison hints at Mavericks not trading their draft pick this summer

Over the last few years, the NBA draft has treated the Mavericks well, and the last time they were in a spot to acquire a lottery pick, Dallas snagged Dereck Lively II with the 12th overall selection. Lively II became a huge reason the Mavericks advanced to the NBA Finals last season, and there is reason to believe the Mavs could get another player who produces on day one in this year's draft process.

It's unclear what direction the Mavericks will head in with their draft pick, and it may not be known until after the NBA's Draft Lottery selections on May 12, but Harrison knows this could be an opportunity to build around Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving for a low price tag.

Some of Dallas' biggest roster needs were exposed over the remaining few weeks of the regular season, and the Mavericks' biggest roster hole was the lack of playmaking. With this in mind, Harrison could decide to select a guard with whatever pick the Mavericks have.

Egor Demin has become a popular name amongst Maverick fans with his unique playmaking and taller frame; however, his true draft projection won't be known until after the draft combine. Demin wouldn't only be the perfect Doncic replacement, but he would instantly become a prospect fans could rally behind.

While a playmaking guard is the Mavericks' most pressing need, there is plenty of draft talent available at just about every position, given how deep this class is. In Harrison's latest media address, he hinted at the possibility of keeping the draft pick Dallas gets by saying, "We know we can get a really good player" and alluding to them utilizing this pick this summer to make their team better rather than trading it.

With the team not making the playoffs, they will have an extended offseason that will see many revolving doors on both the roster and the staff. Harrison's job may not be what it once was after this summer, but he does have the possibility of winning some love back from fans, and it starts with acing this draft.

The Mavericks will have a long road ahead of them before they can be a competitive team again, but it starts from the ground up, and this year's draft could be the perfect way to begin a season full of success.