Finals-bound Mavs reward GM with extension

The Dallas Mavericks have signed general manager Nico Harrison to a multiyear contract extension.

The Mavericks announced the deal Tuesday, two days before they play the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Terms of the extension were not disclosed.

Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont praised Harrison in a statement released by the team, saying he “has demonstrated his leadership and capabilities.”

“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,” Dumont said.

Harrison is completing his third season as Mavs GM and is the architect of a Dallas team that has reached the NBA Finals for just the third time in franchise history. The Mavs extended Harrison one month after also agreeing to an extension with coach Jason Kidd, who was hired on the same day as Harrison in June 2021.

“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 a statement.

Harrison, a longtime Nike executive before joining the Mavericks, has completely overhauled the roster of a Dallas franchise that failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in the previous 10 seasons before his arrival.

Under Harrison, the Mavericks have agreed to long-term deals with stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Nets in February 2023.

Harrison also executed last year’s draft night trade for impact rookie center Dereck Lively II and then made significant upgrades to Dallas’ roster at this year’s trade deadline with the acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.