Grading Nico Harrison on his first season as Dallas Mavericks GM

Grading Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison in year 1: Trades

Harrison pulled off two trades in his first season leading the Mavericks basketball ops.

His first move was dealing Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics for Moses Brown and a still unused trade exception. Things did not work out as planned with J-Rich, and the Mavs had to move on. They landed a young big man, who is no longer on the roster and an exception. Credit Harrison for not giving up a draft pick to dump Richardson.

The blockbuster was trading Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Harrison realized KP was never going to be the Mavericks' second star, so he dealt the 7’3 big man to Washington for another ball-handler. Dinwiddie played a key role in the Mavs run to the conference finals, and this trade gives Dallas more financial flexibility moving forward.

Trade grade for Nico Harrison in Year 1 as Dallas Mavericks GM: A-

Harrison has not given up first-round picks to make moves. Dumping players often means tying draft picks to them, but he gave up just one second-round selection in the two deals. Credit to him for flipping KP into another ball-handler. Dallas needed more shot creation on their roster, and it showed in the playoffs.

It was not perfect, but Nico Harrison earned an A-minus for his first two deals leading the Mavericks.