Regrading the Mavericks trades since Nico Harrison took over as GM

The Dallas Mavericks had a complete makeover at the top in the summer of 2021 after The Athletic exposed the team’s front office turmoil. Longtime general manager Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle left the organization after more than three decades of combined service, and the Mavs needed a new top executive for the first time since 2005.

The team brought back Dirk Nowitzki as a special advisor to assist owner Mark Cuban in finding the right GM and head coach, and the group settled on Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd. In their first season, the Mavericks reached the conference finals for just the fifth time in franchise history.

Harrison has done well on the trade market in his year-plus since taking over as general manager and president of basketball operations. Here is a look back at his four trades to regrade each move with the knowledge fans have now.

Regrading Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s trading Josh Richardson

Harrison’s first move as the team’s top executive was dumping Josh Richardson. The Mavs acquired the 6’5 wing and a second-round pick for Seth Curry during the 2020 NBA Draft, and the trade immediately proved to be a disaster. J-Rich struggled to fit in, and his playmaking and outside shooting regressed in Dallas. The Mavs were ready to move on, so they shipped Richardson to Boston in this deal.

Dallas Mavericks acquire: Moses Brown, trade exception

Boston Celtics land: Josh Richardson

Dallas was looking to create a bit more cap room as they chased Kyle Lowry, but this trade was far from a homerun. The Mavericks were happy to get J-Rich off their books, but Moses Brown played just 26 games in Dallas, and the team never used the trade exception.

Dallas Mavericks regrade of Josh Richardson trade: C

The Mavs did not use the trade exception, but they replaced Richardson with Reggie Bullock in free agency. Bullock brought the defense and outside shooting Dallas needed as he was a key piece in their playoff run. Still, trading Josh Richardson for zero return netted the Mavericks and GM Nico Harrison just a C grade.