Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison made one of the gutsiest moves of his executive career last week, acquiring the polarizing Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
But while many people believe that landing Kyrie was a massive risk, Harrison has a different perspective on it. Speaking to the media today, Harrison dismissed the idea that Kyrie’s presence has the potential to be harmful and believes there was more risk to NOT attempting the trade.
“I don’t see any risk involved at all… I actually see risk in not doing it,” Harrison said, via WFAA’s Mike Leslie.
So far the results have been solid enough for the Mavericks. In his three starts so far, Kyrie has averaged 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game as the Mavs have gone 2-1.
Nico Harrison on his message to Mavs fans that might see this trade for Kyrie Irving as risky: “I don’t see any risk involved at all… I actually see risk in not doing it.” Said he’s known Kyrie and his family for a long time, and knows the kind of man he is.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) February 13, 2023
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Nico Harrison gave up no small amount of compensation to bring Kyrie into the fold and pair him with Luka Doncic. He gave up an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 along with Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie.
But with his Mavericks in a position to now make a very strong push for a top-two seed in the West, his risk could pay off in a big way.
Will the Kyrie Irving trade go down as the best trade in Harrison’s tenure as the Mavericks’ GM?