Mavericks GM Nico Harrison believes he’s done a ‘really good job’
Nico Harrison is not a person many people envy these days. The Dallas Mavericks general manager has been under constant scrutiny since his stunning decision to trade away franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the mid-February trade deadline. It was a shocking move that came with zero warning and resulted in uproar from both the local fanbase and the larger NBA audience. So much that Harrison himself admitted that the reaction surprised him. “I knew Luka was important to the Mavs fanbase,” said Harrison at an end-of-season media availability on Monday. “But I didn’t quite know to what level.” Doncic was originally acquired by the Mavericks in a draft-night trade after being selected third-overall in 2018 by the Atlanta Hawks. He proceeded to spend the first six years of his NBA career with Dallas, earning five All-NBA selections and five All-Star nods. The now-26-year-old was rookie of the year in 2019 and finished top-five in MVP voting in three of his first six seasons, most recently coming in at third in 2023-24. He also led the Mavs to an NBA Finals appearance last year, their lone trip since Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki helped Dallas win its first title in franchise history back in 2011. In an interview with ESPN, the Slovenian star admitted that he was so caught off guard by the news that he smashed his phone in reaction. He even noted that “my heart was broken” by the surprising turn of events. Doncic later added that it was “sad” that the decision to move him seemingly had to do with concerns over his conditioning and work ethic, as had been reported in the time since the trade happened. While Harrison didn’t comment directly on any of those claims during his end-of-season presser, he did state that “I’ve never actually spoken ill of Luka at all, I’m just ready to move on with this team that we have.” Ultimately, Harrison felt that moving the franchise star, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick was the right decision because, as he put it, “defence wins championships.” The deal marked the first time in league history that two reigning All-NBA players were dealt for each other mid-season. And although the Mavericks hardly saw any success after the move — in part due to a smattering of injuries like Davis missing 18 consecutive games and the loss of Kyrie Irving for the year because of a torn ACL — Harrison was still confident in the roster he had constructed. “The way we looked at it, if you’re putting a team on the floor that’s Kyrie, Klay (Thompson), P.J. (Washington), Anthony Davis and (Dereck) Lively, we feel like that’s a championship calibre team,” said Harrison as he reflected on the Mavericks season. “We would’ve been winning at a high level (had it not been for injuries), and that would’ve quieted some of the outrage.” Unfortunately for Harrison, a 39-43 finish, getting bounced by the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In and losing out on the eighth seed wasn’t enough success to temper the emotions of those who felt betrayed by the move. Large contingents of fans routinely snuck in “Fire Nico” signs, even starting “Fire Nico” chants that were heard throughout the American Airlines Center during games. Yet, even in the face of immense backlash, the Mavs GM still believes in the work he’s put in. “I think I’ve done a really good job here,” Harrison explained when asked why he shouldn’t be fired. “And I don’t think I can be judged by the injuries this year, you have to judge in totality from the beginning to end. … You’ll see next year when our team comes back, we’re going to be competing for a championship.” More from Sportsnet Grizzlies rout Mavericks to secure eighth seed, will face Thunder in Round 1 Mavs’ Nico Harrison remains steadfast that Luka Doncic trade was right
Nico Harrison is not a person many people envy these days.
The Dallas Mavericks general manager has been under constant scrutiny since his stunning decision to trade away franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the mid-February trade deadline.
It was a shocking move that came with zero warning and resulted in uproar from both the local fanbase and the larger NBA audience.
So much that Harrison himself admitted that the reaction surprised him.
“I knew Luka was important to the Mavs fanbase,” said Harrison at an end-of-season media availability on Monday. “But I didn’t quite know to what level.”
Doncic was originally acquired by the Mavericks in a draft-night trade after being selected third-overall in 2018 by the Atlanta Hawks. He proceeded to spend the first six years of his NBA career with Dallas, earning five All-NBA selections and five All-Star nods. The now-26-year-old was rookie of the year in 2019 and finished top-five in MVP voting in three of his first six seasons, most recently coming in at third in 2023-24.
He also led the Mavs to an NBA Finals appearance last year, their lone trip since Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki helped Dallas win its first title in franchise history back in 2011.
In an interview with ESPN, the Slovenian star admitted that he was so caught off guard by the news that he smashed his phone in reaction. He even noted that “my heart was broken” by the surprising turn of events.
Doncic later added that it was “sad” that the decision to move him seemingly had to do with concerns over his conditioning and work ethic, as had been reported in the time since the trade happened.
While Harrison didn’t comment directly on any of those claims during his end-of-season presser, he did state that “I’ve never actually spoken ill of Luka at all, I’m just ready to move on with this team that we have.”
Ultimately, Harrison felt that moving the franchise star, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick was the right decision because, as he put it, “defence wins championships.”
The deal marked the first time in league history that two reigning All-NBA players were dealt for each other mid-season.
And although the Mavericks hardly saw any success after the move — in part due to a smattering of injuries like Davis missing 18 consecutive games and the loss of Kyrie Irving for the year because of a torn ACL — Harrison was still confident in the roster he had constructed.
“The way we looked at it, if you’re putting a team on the floor that’s Kyrie, Klay (Thompson), P.J. (Washington), Anthony Davis and (Dereck) Lively, we feel like that’s a championship calibre team,” said Harrison as he reflected on the Mavericks season. “We would’ve been winning at a high level (had it not been for injuries), and that would’ve quieted some of the outrage.”
Unfortunately for Harrison, a 39-43 finish, getting bounced by the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In and losing out on the eighth seed wasn’t enough success to temper the emotions of those who felt betrayed by the move. Large contingents of fans routinely snuck in “Fire Nico” signs, even starting “Fire Nico” chants that were heard throughout the American Airlines Center during games.
Yet, even in the face of immense backlash, the Mavs GM still believes in the work he’s put in.
“I think I’ve done a really good job here,” Harrison explained when asked why he shouldn’t be fired. “And I don’t think I can be judged by the injuries this year, you have to judge in totality from the beginning to end. … You’ll see next year when our team comes back, we’re going to be competing for a championship.”
