Mavericks Rumors: Mark Cuban Is 'Pleased' with GM Nico Harrison Despite Struggles

The Dallas Mavericks failed to qualify for the postseason or even the play-in tournament in the 2022-23 campaign that was a shocking disappointment after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season.

That has called into question whether some major changes might take place within the organization, but it sounds as though general manager Nico Harrison is safe for the time being.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, "league sources say [Mavericks governor Mark Cuban] is a Harrison fan and pleased with his work and presence as he continues to make the transition from Nike executive to an NBA front office."

Head coach Jason Kidd appears to be safe as well.

"He's still the guy," Harrison said on Dallas' 97.1 FM The Freak in late March.

The second-year general manager did add an important caveat to those comments, however.

"If we don't make the playoffs, we all have to be evaluated," he said at the time. "I have to be evaluated by my boss."

Let the evaluations begin.

While the 2022-23 season will undoubtedly be seen as a disappointment, Harrison pulled the trigger on a major trade that was expected to bolster the Mavs, landing Kyrie Irving. While that didn't end up being the season-saving jolt the franchise expected, it did finally pair Luka Dončić with the superstar running mate he never had in his previous four seasons.

Those two got buckets together. In 16 games together, the Mavericks scored an impressive 119.2 points per 100 possessions when Dončić and Irving shared the court, per NBA.com.

What they didn't do was win much, going just 5-11 in games they both played. Nonetheless, keeping Irving—and then surrounding the superstar duo with a better supporting cast—is the new measuring stick for Harrison's tenure.

Namely, adding more role players who will help on the defensive end. Even Dončić publicly acknowledged the team's deficiencies in that area this season.

"I don't think offense is the problem," he told reporters Tuesday. "I've always said this. It's our defensive end. I think anybody can score on us. Whoever it is, anybody can score on us."

Losing a versatile defender like Dorian Finney-Smith in the Irving trade didn't help. And neither Dončić or Irving offer much on defense, with the Mavericks holding a poor 115.0 defensive rating when they played together.

Harrison will look to add more players who help on that end to go along with solid defensive options already on the roster in Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock and Josh Green.

Returning to the playoffs is a must. The Mavericks can't afford to waste any of the 24-year-old Dončić's prime—the last thing the franchise wants is the best player they've had since Dirk Nowitzki getting a wandering eye.