Mavericks GM Nico Harrison said the team is only looking to improve and take the next steps after reaching the Western Conference finals.
“We’re listening to everything,” Harrison said, in reference to the Mavs’ No. 26 overall pick, on The Ben and Skin Show, via the Dallas Morning News. “We’re going to call teams. We’re listening to everything. I don’t think we’re actively trying to trade our pick, but we’re going to listen and if something makes sense and it makes our team better, we’re absolutely going to do it.”
Harrison just completed his first year as an NBA GM after coming over from Nike. Jason Kidd, a former Mavs star, just finished his first season coaching the team. The combination was a success … but Dallas remains on the lookout to improve around star Luka Doncic.
“We need some rim protection,” Harrison said. “That’s one thing that we don’t have a lot of on our team. I think that’s the easiest thing to say. Of course, you always want to add more talent, but the thing you have to caution against is we were a really good team. If you look at the parts individually, not a lot stands out, but as a team, together, we were really, really good. We had great culture, we liked each other, we played for each other. All that stuff matters and you don’t want to lose that.”
He does not think the Mavericks will struggle to land players, either in free agency or via trade, when it comes right down to it.
“I think the city sells itself,” Harrison said. “I think most players, if you ask them, they like Dallas. They’ve had good times in Dallas, good food, the weather’s nice.
“It’s safe to say this. I came here thinking that Dallas is a place that top-tier talent wants to come, and I believe that what Jason has created in terms of a culture, that has been the case and will continue to be the case.”
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!