Mavericks extend GM Nico Harrison ahead of NBA Finals

BOSTON – With the franchise’s first NBA Finals in 13 years just two days away, the Dallas Mavericks announced they’ve agreed to a contract extension with general manager Nico Harrison.

The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, other than it is a multi-year agreement for the former Nike executive who took over as Mavericks general manager in 2021 and reshaped the organization through trades and the draft to reach this point.

Dallas has gone to two Western Conference finals and this year advanced to the NBA Finals during Harrison’s tenure. The Mavericks play the Celtics at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Boston.

“His vision, along with his efforts on behalf of our players and staff have propelled our team to two playoff appearances in three seasons and of course this year’s NBA Finals,” Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont said in a news release announcing the contract extension. “We are proud to have him as part of our team for the long term.”

Harrison, 51, was hired by Mark Cuban and named to his post the same day in June 2021 when the Mavericks said Jason Kidd would be their coach. Together they have built around superstar and perennial MVP candidate Luka Dončić.

Last year, Harrison traded for Kyrie Irving, who has found personal peace in Dallas and become perhaps the perfect complementary player to Dončić. This season, the team acquired big men P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline. The team is playing for a title despite entering the postseason as the No. 5 seed in the West — a testament to the moves Harrison orchestrated that changed this team for the better.

“Patrick and his family have accepted me as their own from day one and I am honored to work alongside them, as well as Jason Kidd, as we continue to build a winning culture in Dallas,” Harrison said in the news release.

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Wednesday is media day at the NBA Finals, during which players and coaches from both teams will formally address reporters before or after a team practice at TD Garden.

The Mavericks cut through top-seeded Oklahoma City and No. 2 Minnesota in the last two rounds to reach the Finals. Boston, the NBA’s best team record-wise this season, has lost just two games in the postseason so far, but played opponents missing their best player for some or all of each series so far.

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(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / NBAE via Getty Images)