After the chaos that followed the Mavericks’ trade deadline moves, one man in the front office desperately needed a W—not Kyrie, not Klay (though they could use one too), but GM Nico Harrison. Criticized, doubted, and blamed for Dallas’ midseason stumble, Harrison had something to prove. And prove it he did. With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Mavs landed the crown jewel: Cooper Flagg. The moment was electric, the pick a no-brainer. Although we may have seen this coming after that viral moment a few years ago.

In 2023, Cooper Flagg was competing in the Peach Jam that boasted an All-Star coach in the mix. LeBron James was there for his younger son, Bryce. It was Flagg who went viral for two reasons – scoring 38 points and 37 points in two games, and for meeting Bron.

Two years since, Flagg was on Good Morning America where Robin Roberts asked him what James told him in that viral encounter. “Just a little bit of advice about you know being present and staying in the moment. Um so it was just it was cool to have that moment,” the Duke star revealed ahead of the draft.

Dallas is crazy excited for the 18-year-old’s arrival after losing Luka Doncic. However, despite LeBron’s advice to stay present, reality was different despite everyone and Cooper knowing what’s coming. “I don’t think it’s set in yet,” Flagg said right after his draft selection. “It feels surreal. I’m just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name. It just went so fast. It feels like a blur.” 

Flagg had the most reassuring statement for Dallas when asked if he envisioned himself as an NBA champion in his rookie year. “Of course.” He went on to say, “I think my mindset has always been to be a winner. So I’m gonna try and win, you know, as hard as I can, everywhere, anywhere I go. So yeah, I’m looking forward to being successful and, you know, winning a lot of games for sure.”

Music to Nico’s ears. The Mavs’ GM is not very loved by fans right now. And despite the excitement for Cooper Flagg, there’s too much lingering doubt about Nico Harrison’s decision-making.

Dallas’ sentiments for Nico Harrison haven’t changed

No team had a rollercoaster in the 2024-25 season like the Dallas Mavericks. From celebrating the unique chemistry of Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, things dramatically shifted when Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis were traded for each other. Then the injury curse struck the team, the biggest of them hitting Kyrie. Through it all, the players received a lot of love from fans – even Luka. The one who was blamed for all of this was Nico Harrison.

Despite getting the first pick in the lottery knowing Cooper Flagg was on the block, Harrison failed to earn any favor. That showed at this NBA draft.

At a watch party at American Airlines Arena, fans waited for Adam Silver to make the inevitable announcement. During that, the GM was hailed with the same chants of “Fire Nico” that have followed him since February 2, 2025.

Dallas’ sentiments for Nico are independent of Flagg, Kyrie, or the team. It’s become a rallying cry for demanding respect for fans. Perhaps the only thing that will turn the tide would be a championship. The odds of that are a lot better with the arrival of the next big thing in basketball.