“My job is to take risks”. This is in substance what Nico Harrison replied, Dallas's GM, about his choice to transfer his “Player franchise” Luka Donnte to Lakers, against Anthony Davis. We all thought that Slovenian would take his whole career to the Mavericks, like his predecessor Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks recover a fragile interior, certainly already titled and 10 times All-Star, and this exchange is unheard of in the history of the NBA.
“I understand that we are shocked at the start”,, Confers Harrisonformer senior leader of Nike, already the author of several big shots with the coming of Kyrie Irving then Klay Thompson. “But I believe that we have positioned ourselves to win now and also to win in the future, and it is ultimately the objective and the reason why we are here. It is up to me to make difficult decisions that place our goals in the foreground. »»
Then Harrison explains to Dallas Morning News How he and Rob Pelinka managed to get along. First, the GM des Mavericks recalled that he has known Pelinka for 20 years, and a month ago, on January 7 according to Marc Stein, they discussed “basketball”. “Suddenly, we were to say to ourselves: “Would we be able to do this?” »». While the Lakers are in Dallas, Pelinka asks him if he is serious, and Harrison does not close the door … “It has taken shape in the past three weeks” specifies Harrison.
The Mavericks were afraid of losing Luka Doncic at the “Free Agency”
What we know is that it was Harrison who approached the Lakers for the transfer of Doncic. New owner of the franchise, Patrick Dumont had given the green light, and it was therefore Saturday, around 9:00 p.m. Los Angeles time, that the two franchises drew. Harrison sent an SMS and so called, but the Slovenian did not answer him: “I imagine he doesn't want to talk to me …”
Why were the Mavericks open to a transfer from Luka Doncic? Because Slovenian had the opportunity to extend next summer for $ 345 million over five years, and clearly, the leaders were not willing to offer it. “We really have the feeling of having taken the lead which was going to be a tumultuous summer, since it is eligible for the supermax and that it is a year of being free agent”continues Harrison. “So we have the impression of anticipating. We knew there were teams, and they said it, who had put themselves in the position to be able to try to sign it once it is available. ”
Respond to the physical challenge of riders or Celtics
Once the decision to transfer Doncic is taken, you have to find the ideal player to strengthen the team. It will therefore be Anthony Davis, one of the best defenders in the NBA, and one of the best interiors simply. “I think it's defense that wins titles” Harrison is still justified. “And I think that recovering a member of the All-Defensive Teams and All-Nba Teams, with a defensive state of mind, gives us a better chance. We are built to win in the short and medium term. »»
“Built” to respond to horsemen, Celtics and Nuggets, with the Davis-Gafford or David-Lively pair under the circle. “If you look at the riders, that's what you will see … Anthony will probably finish the matches at post 5, but you will see them play together.” And when the Lakers won, he played in post 4 ”.
