Nico Harrison casts dark cloud over Mavericks offseason

The Dallas Mavericks are going into the season with a lot of hype. Anthony Davis is in his first full season and Cooper Flagg is beginning his career with the team.

While there's a lot of reasons to be happy with the Mavs, there are also a lot of reasons to be skeptical. Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes believes the Mavs made some shrewd signings over the offseason, but there's a lot up in the air when it comes to the team because of general manager Nico Harrison's erratic behavior in the past.

"Harrison re-signed Kyrie Irving for three years and $118 million, a deal that actually pays him less per year than the $42.9 million player option he declined before signing it. D'Angelo Russell and his team-friendly deal (two years, $12 million) will provide stopgap work at the point until Irving recovers from his torn ACL," Hughes wrote.

"Daniel Gafford's three-year, $54 million extension seemed a tad rich, especially given Dallas' glut of bigs. But it should be movable at positive value if a roster-balancing trade opportunity arises. PJ Washington can't be moved this season, but the Mavs also did well to extend him for four years and $90 million.

"The Mavs did good work this summer, just not enough to escape blame for the terrible move they made last season."

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison speaks to the media at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Harrison still makes things weary for Mavs

The trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers was nearly eight months ago, but the team is still trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces. It's created an uneasiness about the team, and it will likely remain until Harrison is no longer the general manager.

The Mavs have the right pieces to contend, especially if Irving comes back healthy, looking like himself in the middle of the season from his torn ACL recovery.

Perhaps winning will cure all, but the Mavs have to get there before the sting of losing Doncic wears off.

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