Luka Dončić is traded, and Dallas is shaken! His trade to the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world. Ah, but why are we discussing Luka here? Because the decision by Mavs GM, Nico Harrison, marked a new chapter. Harrison, who had led the team through its recent success, made the bold move despite its emotional toll on Dončić, and of course fans.

But who exactly is Nico Harrison, and how did his journey shape this monumental decision? Let’s explore his path and rise within the Mavericks organization.

Who is Mavs GM Nico Harrison and what is his journey?

Today, Nico Tyrone Harrison is widely known as the general manager and president of basketball operations for the Dallas Mavericks, but do you know his journey? Born and raised in Oregon, Harrison began his professional basketball career overseas. From Leuven Bears in Belgium to the Hitachi Honsha Rising Sun in Japan, he played for several teams. His time on the court also took him to Lebanon, where he played his final year overseas.

However, his basketball career lasted only seven years, but what happened next is what is more important. He moved back to Oregon, where he started working as a pharmaceutical sales representative. But, wait, he is again back to the game that’s played on the court. In 2002, a friend informed him of an open position at Nike as a regional field representative for the NBA. And guess what? He applied for the job, shined as a star, and relocated to Dallas, Texas after being hired. And what happened there was a start to his NBA journey.

At Nike, Harrison worked with some of the biggest NBA stars, including Michael Finley, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki. A man with hunger in his belly, he went on to become the Vice President of Nike’s North American basketball operations. However, not everything went smoothly during his time at Nike. Do you know why we do not see Stephen Curry with Nike? We observe Curry missing from the lineup of the biggest names in the hoops world associated with Nike.

Here’s how. In 2013, Harrison made a mistake during a presentation to Curry. He mistakenly referred to him as “Seth” and presented the wrong materials. This is how Under Armour came to the big picture. This blunder led to Curry leaving Nike for Under Armour. A move that changed the Sneakers’ world forever. But this didn’t end Harrison’s journey with Nike.

Harrison worked with Nike for a long 19 years, only to move next to the Dallas-based franchise. Nico Harrison’s career began to shine even brighter in June 2021 when the Dallas Mavericks appointed him as the general manager and president of basketball operations, succeeding Donnie Nelson. During his first three seasons as GM, Harrison made an immediate impact. Under his leadership, the Mavs reached the NBA Western Conference Finals two times. In 2024, they even reached the NBA Finals, marking a major milestone for the team. So is Harrison a lucky charm? Until then, yes. His success with the Mavericks earned him a multi-year contract extension in June 2024.

However, Harrison’s biggest move came in February 2025. While for many of you, the Luka Dončić move might still seem a nightmare, it is a reality orchestrated by Harrison. Only to turn into an overnight villain for the Mavericks’ fanbase. Fans and the media heavily criticized the move, but Harrison stood by his decision. He argued that “defense wins championships,” pointing to Anthony Davis as a player who exemplified the kind of culture the Mavericks wanted to build. But with the decision, the world stands divided.

Harrison’s journey from a professional basketball player to a successful executive at Nike and then as the Mavericks GM is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Despite facing challenges, he has consistently proven that his ability to build relationships and trust with players is invaluable. His career is one of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and making bold moves that shape the future of Mavs. But, with that, let’s look into his salary with the Mavs.

How much do the Dallas Mavericks pay their GM Nico Harrison? What is his net worth?

It is safe to assume he is no less than a millionaire, but the Mavericks board has never disclosed Nico Harrison’s exact salary. However, after a successful 50-win season and an NBA Finals appearance, he signed a multi-year contract extension in January 2024. His leadership, which included overhauling the supporting cast around Luka Dončić, has been pivotal in the team’s success. He stated, “I am incredibly grateful to Patrick and the entire Dumont and Adelson family.”

While his salary remains private, Harrison’s wealth is more visible. Again, it is hard to predict his true richness as the figures fluctuate with time. But as of early 2025, the 52-year-old man sits on close to or more $10 million. Given his presence in Nike and Mavericks, it is safe to say he has grown over the years. While the anger over the Doncic trade looms, Harrison will continue to grow as his hold over Dallas strengthens with each season.