Overview of Real Ones — "No More Nico in Dallas. Plus, Biggest Surprises So Far This Season."
This episode of The Ringer’s Real Ones (Logan Murdoch, Raja Bell, Howard Beck, with Cartier “Cliff” returning later) pivots from a planned 10-game impressions show to a deep discussion of the Dallas Mavericks’ firing of Nico Harrison. The hosts trace Harrison’s tenure and missteps (most notably the Luka Doncic trade), evaluate Dallas’s short- and long-term options (interim leadership, roster strategy, and ownership questions), and then run a rapid-fire set of “first 10 games” reaction categories: biggest surprises, biggest disappointments, and teams you’d least like to be right now.
Key episode segments
1) Nico Harrison firing — timeline & context
- Nico Harrison hired in 2021 as head of basketball operations; succeeded Donnie Nelson.
- Built a roster that reached the 2024 NBA Finals after key moves (trades, draft picks like Derek Lively, adding Kyrie Irving).
- The turning point: Harrison quietly traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers (hosts say “gave him away”), which catalyzed fan/ownership backlash.
- Ownership change: Mark Cuban sold majority stake to the Adelson/Dumont group; Patrick Dumont now running things and issued a public letter acknowledging mistakes.
- Result: Nico Harrison fired; Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi installed as interim basketball-ops leaders.
2) Where the Mavericks go from here — consensus recommendations
- Immediate posture: Accept the reality — this is not a contender on the Kyrie/Anthony Davis timeline.
- Primary path forward: Build around Cooper Flagg (the #1 pick) and Derek Lively, prioritize their development over short-term win-chasing.
- Trade/roster advice: Be willing to move aging, injury-prone stars (Kyrie, AD, etc.) if you can get value; maintain Cooper Flagg as untouchable.
- Front office hire: Use a search firm or rely on Finley/Riccardi’s network to find an experienced GM (examples cited: David Griffin, top lieutenants from Spurs/Thunder/Heat/Warriors).
- Owners & guardrails: New ownership must add experienced basketball judgment and not over-empower ill-prepared executives.
3) Ownership & accountability — Mark Cuban’s role
- Debate over culpability: Cuban didn’t orchestrate the Luka trade, but hosts argue he bears responsibility for vetting buyers and the front-office hires he championed (Harrison was seen by some as a reach).
- Cuban retained a public role/visibility after the sale; hosts say that created expectations and adds a layer of responsibility when things went wrong.
- Verdict: Cuban likely wouldn’t have made the Luka trade, but the new ownership’s inexperience created vulnerability.
4) Player perspective & locker-room implications
- Veteran stars: Nervous about timeline and roster changes; expect increased scrutiny if new front office shifts direction.
- Young/core pieces (Cooper Flagg, Derek Lively, Daniel Gafford): Less day-to-day disruption but will want clarity on vision and reassurances from new leadership.
- General advice to players: Compartmentalize, stay professional, keep maximizing individual value (ROTY, All-Star chances) while the franchise restructures.
5) Practical next steps for Dallas (action items)
- Interim: Let Finley/Riccardi steady the ship; leverage their league relationships.
- Hire: Retain a vetted search firm and prioritize an experienced GM with proven decision-making.
- Roster: Prioritize development of Cooper Flagg, consider trading non-core veterans for future assets, avoid short-sighted “win-now” moves.
- Fan relations: Transparency and a clear, patient rebuild message to regain trust.
Notable quotes / soundbites
- “Nico’s legacy will always be the guy who gave away Luka Dončić.” — (summary of hosts’ consensus)
- “Just build around Cooper Flagg.” — repeated refrain from multiple hosts about the clear path forward.
- “You are not a contender from the moment you made the Luka trade.” — Howard Beck emphasizing the realism needed.
Second half — 10-game impressions (Cartier-Cliff segment)
Biggest surprises (positive)
- Detroit Pistons — Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren leading a surprisingly strong, defense-first start; setting pace in the East.
- Houston Rockets — Despite VanVleet’s injury, Rockets have the league’s best offense early; praise for Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (actually “Shang-Goon” references = Shai?), and coach MAU Doka’s system.
- Josh Giddey / Chicago Bulls — Giddey’s productivity in a larger role has been gliding into triple-double territory; trade-off questions about long-term fit/contract value.
- Milwaukee Bucks — Strong start behind Giannis; overperforming relative to a thin supporting cast.
Biggest disappointments
- LA Clippers — Aging roster, poor defense, and organizational distractions (Aspire/cap circumvention probe); currently underperforming expectations.
- Atlanta Hawks — Far below preseason hopes; doubts about Trey Young’s fit and the team’s trajectory.
- New Orleans Pelicans (noted) — Underperforming relative to talent on paper.
- Orlando Magic — Mentioned as disappointing after preseason expectations.
Who you’d least like to be 10 games in
- Memphis Grizzlies — Internal friction reported between Ja Morant and coaching/organization; messy locker-room optics.
- Steve Ballmer/LA Clippers ownership — Facing legal/PR scandals, disappointing on-court results despite heavy investment.
- Sacramento Kings — Dysfunctional roster construction, aging role players, 3–7 start, limited young building blocks beyond Keegan Murray.
Key takeaways
- The Mavericks face a pivotal reset: firing Nico is the start, but hiring the right GM and committing to Cooper Flagg’s development are decisive next steps.
- Short-term wins don’t matter as much for Dallas; patient, methodical rebuild is the advised route.
- Organizational competence matters: new ownership must add basketball-savvy guardrails (search firms, trusted advisors, internal vets like Finley/Riccardi).
- Early-season surprises and disappointments show the league’s volatility — young teams (Pistons, Rockets) can rise quickly, while veteran-laden rosters (Clippers) can stall for non-basketball reasons.
Who/what to watch next
- Mavericks’ official GM search timeline and any moves involving Kyrie, Anthony Davis, or expiring assets.
- How Michael Finley & Matt Riccardi’s interim stewardship is received internally and externally.
- Continued performance of Cooper Flagg (development vs. results) — the franchise’s future hinges on him.
- Early-season storylines: Pistons’ sustainability, Rockets’ offense without a true floor general, and the Clippers’ off-court legal fallout.
If you want a quick printable checklist from this episode:
- Dallas should hire a vetted, experienced GM (search firm recommended).
- Prioritize Cooper Flagg’s development; be willing to trade veterans for assets.
- Ownership must adopt basketball-savvy guardrails and transparent messaging.
- Monitor the Clippers and Kings as early trouble spots; watch Pistons and Rockets as breakout stories.