Nico Harrison says Mavs front office’s trip to Slovenia was ‘bigger than just a big contract’

LAS VEGAS – Understandably, Nico Harrison and Michael Finley looked a little tired on Wednesday night watching the Mavericks-Utah summer league game at the Cox Pavilion.

Finally, Harrison, President of Basketball Operations, and Vice President of Operations Finley were part of the Mavericks delegation that traveled to Ljubljana, Slovenia to attend Luka Doncic’s $ 207 million Supermax contract signing and press conference.

The Mavericks plane landed in Dallas early Wednesday afternoon. Harrison said he “showered” and then flew to Las Vegas that afternoon. He joked during a halftime interview with The News that he wished he had a shot of espresso.

The trip to Slovenia marked Harrison’s first personal visit to Doncic since Harrison was hired to succeed Donnie Nelson in June.

“I knew Luka before he got into the NBA, although I wouldn’t say we’re close friends or anything,” said Harrison. “So now you get to know him through a different lens.”

The highlight of the trip, apart from the fact that Doncic signed the five-year extension?

“Honestly, just the idea of ​​the trip, we’re all going to show so much respect for Luka that we’ll go to his birthplace,” said Harrison. During the press conference, Doncic was visibly moved as he described his appreciation for the Mavericks’ travel company, which included owner Mark Cuban and special advisor Dirk Nowitzki.

“I think when you put so much time, energy and thought into something like this, it becomes bigger than just a big job.”

During the press conference in Slovenia, Cuban said he believes the newcomers to the Mavericks, including swingmen Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown and center Moses Brown, “have made our team a lot better”.

Harrison explained the additions on Wednesday.

“I think they’ll bring a lot of versatility on defense and offense. We’ve brought more shooters into play who are spacing the ground, which will serve Luka well. And I think from a defensive point of view you can just mix so many combinations on the floor. We can really go after it defensively. “

Mavericks fans have voiced their concern on social media that Dallas is through with the squad maneuver. The potential acquisition of Toronto-based Goran Dragic remains a possibility, though sources say that possibility is far from imminent. Dallas has also reportedly joined New Orleans to register interest in Chicago Restricted Free Agent Lauri Markkanen.

When asked by The News to characterize the level of Mavericks activity in the market, Harrison smiled.

“Always active,” he says. “Always active.”

More Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News can be found here.

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