Grading Nico Harrison on his first season as Dallas Mavericks GM

Grading Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison in year 1: Draft

In his 24 years with the Mavs, Donnie Nelson had a hit-or-miss track record in the draft. He and his father helped uncover and trade for Dirk Nowitzki back in 1998. Nelson was also in charge when the Mavericks drafted Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson on the same night in 2018. Acquiring two all-time greats in the draft is massive, but there were plenty of misses too. The Mavs often picked late in the first round and struggled to find role players.

Nelson’s best skill was finding undervalued talent. Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber were both undrafted before becoming key rotation pieces for the Mavericks.

Fans are hoping Nico Harrison’s track record in the draft features those same massive hits as Nelson’s but not so many busts. This is the one area where fans still have no idea, though. The Mavericks traded both of their picks in the 2021 NBA Draft before Harrison arrived in Dallas, so he has still yet to make a draft choice.

Draft grade for Nico Harrison in Year 1 as Dallas Mavericks GM: I

The Mavs did sign undrafted rookies Eugene Omoruyi and JaQuori McLaughlin to two-way contracts last summer. Omoruyi suffered a season-ending foot injury in December and a massive COVID outbreak forced the Mavericks to open up his roster spot. McLaughlin also became a roster causality.

It is not fair to judge Nico Harrison off two undrafted players he signed, so he gets an incomplete here so far. The Mavericks have the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and it will be interesting to see what Harrison decides to do with the selection.