Donnie Nelson once told me that he only put his reputation on the chopping block for a player three times. Except he didn’t say “reputation.” The first time was for a goofy-looking German kid whose skinny frame made his dorky hair look even more geeky. We all know how that turned out. The other times […]
The Mavericks own the 18th pick in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday. They also have the first pick of the second round, 31st overall. They have a young, rising roster that will continue to be built around Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis, who will play at some point this season after […]
The Mavericks began mandatory individual practice sessions Wednesday knowing that four players who once were in the playing rotation won’t be available when they start playing games in Orlando later this month. So how did they come to the decision that 6-foot guard Trey Burke was the right player to fill one of those spots […]
CHARLOTTE – As Donnie Nelson was hanging out in Europe for the last few years, and tracking literally every basketball move Luka Doncic made, he came across an interesting observation. Doncic was always the youngest player on the court, but he didn’t let his young age prevent him from dominating most games. It was as […]
DALLAS – Probably the most difficult trade Donnie Nelson has ever made occurred Wednesday night when the Dallas Mavericks’ president of basketball operations traded Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson. Nelson even got emotional on Thursday when he was explaining what Barnes meant to him and to the Mavs’ […]
NEW YORK – Rick Carlisle was discussing draft picks and team’s being lucky Wednesday night when the Dallas Mavericks coach suddenly got into a dissertation about general manager Donnie Nelson and his impact on European players flocking to the NBA. “Donnie Nelson has done a great job here,” Carlisle said. “He’s the guy that brought […]
DALLAS – Rick Carlisle was analyzing the effects Luka Doncic has had on his team when the Dallas Mavericks coach paused to give credit to the man who helped deliver the rookie from Slovenia to the Mavs. “Donnie Nelson, who I really think is as good an evaluator of talent as I’ve ever met or […]
Springfield, MA – Probably no one has been more influential in Steve Nash’s basketball career than the father-son combination of Don and Donnie Nelson. As an assistant coach with Phoenix, Donnie Nelson played a pivotal role in the Suns using the 15th overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft to select Nash. Donnie Nelson first […]
BROOKLYN – Donnie Nelson understands why Dallas Mavericks fans are all pumped about the team picking fifth in tonight’s NBA Draft. However, the Mavs’ president of basketball operations wants fans to be just as excited about the team’s two picks in the second round. In addition to the No. 5 selection, the Mavs will also […]
BROOKLYN – For Donnie Nelson, this almost feels like an ice cream truck pulled up in front of his house and he has so many wonderful flavors to choose from. The NBA Draft is Thursday at 6 p.m. CT at the Barclays Center, and it’ll be decision time for Nelson and the Dallas Mavericks as […]