Mark Cuban admits regret over Nico Harrison decision with Mavericks

There was probably a time when Cuban did not second-guess bringing Harrison back in 2021. Harrison's first three years running basketball operations were not bad at all, including two conference finals trips and a run to the NBA Finals in 2024, which was the franchise's first since Dirk Nowitzki won it all in 2011.

Nico Harrison decisions leave Mavericks facing tough reality

But there is another side to it. Cuban was still heavily involved in a lot of the roster calls that got Dallas into title contention. Luka Doncic stayed the engine of the team, and bringing in Jason Kidd as head coach plus landing Kyrie Irving were massive moves.

Things changed after Cuban sold to the ownership group headed by Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont. Cuban has admitted since then that he doesn't have real control anymore.

Harrison made the call to trade for Klay Thompson during the summer of 2024, which seemed bold at the time but necessary. The bet hasn't really paid off though, especially with Thompson coming in at 34 years old.

But that trade does not compare to the decision to move Doncic. Dallas got former Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, Max Christie and just one first-round pick back.

If Harrison had pushed for more offers, the Mavericks could have landed a much better haul. The defensive-first plan they were banking on never really came together.