Mavs GM Nico Harrison: We're Built For The Next Three Playoff Runs

[RealGM Wiretap]

Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison knew his team needed to add talent at the trade deadline. But Harrison didn't want to make short-term moves. He kept a long-term vision in mind when executing trades for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the deadline.

"It wasn't really about winning right now," Harrison told ESPN. "It was just about continuing to build it. It's like every step is, how do we continue to get better? And we're not built for just right now; we're built for the next three playoff runs."

Harrison felt that Gafford and Washington would improve with the Dallas. Both players would have something to play for, as opposed to playing out the season on teams near the bottom of the standings. Gafford echoed his GM's thoughts.

"No disrespect to any other team that we were on, but it's just we went from playing for nothing to playing for something," Gafford said. "It's like we had to lock in a whole different way."

Via Tim MacMahon/ESPN

[ChipotleWest]

Need a better third scorer. Too many games where Luka/Kyrie give 65 points and the rest of the team give around 30.

[Revived]

Need a better third scorer. Too many games where Luka/Kyrie give 65 points and the rest of the team give around 30.

Can’t have a better 3rd scorer really without dedicating a significant amount of cap to that 3rd scorer. Then there won’t be any money left for the rest of the role players and it’ll be a “big 3” and bunch of bums and that doesn’t work in the NBA anymore.

[ChipotleWest]

Need a better third scorer. Too many games where Luka/Kyrie give 65 points and the rest of the team give around 30.

Can’t have a better 3rd scorer really without dedicating a significant amount of cap to that 3rd scorer. Then there won’t be any money left for the rest of the role players and it’ll be a “big 3” and bunch of bums and that doesn’t work in the NBA anymore.

Trade, I'm not talking about adding a superstar but Tim Hardaway Jr. is a negative he doesn't stack up to Michael Porter Jr. Middleton etc... He's a 3 point specialist who shot 35% from 3, that isn't good enough.

[Roy T]

Lol, him pretending to have a dinasty team with a three year championship window is a joke.

[Revived]

Need a better third scorer. Too many games where Luka/Kyrie give 65 points and the rest of the team give around 30.

Can’t have a better 3rd scorer really without dedicating a significant amount of cap to that 3rd scorer. Then there won’t be any money left for the rest of the role players and it’ll be a “big 3” and bunch of bums and that doesn’t work in the NBA anymore.

Trade, I'm not talking about adding a superstar but Tim Hardaway Jr. is a negative he doesn't stack up to Michael Porter Jr. Middleton etc... He's a 3 point specialist who shot 35% from 3, that isn't good enough.

Their hope is that PJ Washington can be their Michael Porter Jr.

[Revived]

Lol, him pretending to have a dinasty team with a three year championship window is a joke.

I think he’s saying 3 year window because Kyrie’s contract will expire then and his decline will begin then also. And he’s a player that relies heavily on his quickness and first step so will be tough to have a title window after that even if they re-sign him.

[ChipotleWest]

Can’t have a better 3rd scorer really without dedicating a significant amount of cap to that 3rd scorer. Then there won’t be any money left for the rest of the role players and it’ll be a “big 3” and bunch of bums and that doesn’t work in the NBA anymore.

Trade, I'm not talking about adding a superstar but Tim Hardaway Jr. is a negative he doesn't stack up to Michael Porter Jr. Middleton etc... He's a 3 point specialist who shot 35% from 3, that isn't good enough.

Their hope is that PJ Washington can be their Michael Porter Jr.

He's not quite good enough on offense. Not saying I want him gone I don't because of his defense but I'd keep him and replace Tim Hardaway Jr. if possible. May not be.

[levon]

This has "light years" potential

[niha17]

no your not. you not even built for this year

[Tamimi]

no your not. you not even built for this year

Agreed. The fact the GM thinks that way is indicative that they won't be advancing in the coming years. One always looks to improve.