The Dallas Mavericks have opened the season 2-7, sinking to the bottom of the Western Conference after home losses to the 1-8 Wizards and the 2-6 Pelicans—who played without Zion Williamson on the second night of a back-to-back. Dallas nearly dropped another home game to the 1-7 Pacers and currently owns the NBA’s worst offensive rating by a wide margin.
This dismal start has prompted leaguewide speculation about the job security of president of basketball operations Nico Harrison. On the “Howdy Partners” podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said, “A legitimate question right now is: Is Nico Harrison’s job in serious jeopardy? … When you talk to people about the Mavericks around the league, it is the first question that people are asking.”
Harrison has faced heavy criticism since trading longtime franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal centered on Anthony Davis. With Dončić thriving in Los Angeles and the Mavericks struggling, local columnist Tim Cowlishaw has urged team governor Patrick Dumont to heed fans who have chanted for Harrison’s dismissal since the trade.
Injury Updates
Anthony Davis has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s home game against Washington after sitting out four contests with a left calf strain. Head coach Jason Kidd said Friday, “He seems in good spirits, and I think he’s doing fine health-wise … But I don’t know about Saturday.” MacMahon reported that Davis has been targeting Saturday for his return.
Daniel Gafford is also listed as questionable after re-aggravating a right ankle sprain during Friday’s loss in Memphis.
Voices Around the Franchise
Mavericks legend and Amazon Prime analyst Dirk Nowitzki called the opening stretch “a disastrous start,” citing the club’s lack of shot-creation and perimeter shooting. “They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays—nobody can make shots,” he said.
Former majority owner and current minority stakeholder Mark Cuban echoed those concerns on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “I’m not thrilled with the composition of the team,” Cuban stated. “We don’t have enough depth at point guard… I didn’t expect 2-6.”
Bright Spot Off the Bench
Rookie center Moussa Cisse, playing on a two-way contract, posted career highs of 10 points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes during Friday’s 108-94 defeat in Memphis. The Mavericks were plus-18 with the 23-year-old on the floor. “He’s hungry, and that’s what stands out,” Kidd said.
The Mavericks host the Wizards on Saturday night looking to halt a four-game slide and quiet the growing chorus questioning the front office’s direction.
Source: Hoops Rumors
