Most NBA executives fit into one of two clearly defined roles, analytics-based (think Brad Pitt in Moneyball) or scouting-based (think Clint Eastwood in Trouble with the Curve). Most also lean towards building through the draft and developing young players or trading for or signing veterans with less of a learning curve. Nico Harrison is not most NBA executives and the contrast between this offseason and last offseason is a perfect example of how his flexibility allows him to learn from his mistakes.
The Dallas Mavericks continued a decades-long tradition of devaluing first-round picks last season when they traded a first for talented but mercurial big man, Christian Wood.