The Dallas Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, acknowledging nine months later that the much-debated trade for Luka Doncic did not work out well for the team. This decision followed a close 116-114 loss to Milwaukee, during which fans repeatedly chanted “Fire Niko,” echoing the dissatisfaction that started after the controversial trade for Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers angered the Dallas fanbase.
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont admitted the trade was a mistake after speaking with a young fan, Nicholas Dickason, who shared Dumont’s sentiment that despite good intentions, mistakes happen. In the meantime, Michael Finley and Matt Ricciardi have been appointed as co-interim general managers to handle basketball operations.
After the Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the unlikely No. 1 draft pick despite just a 1.8% chance, hopes for regaining fan goodwill were dashed. The upper deck at American Airlines Center has seen low attendance this season, a phenomenon not common since 2018, the year Dallas traded up to draft Doncic at No. 3 overall.
Doncic, now 25 and at his peak as a point guard, replaced the injured Davis, who has missed 30 of 44 regular season games since his February arrival. Harrison, in his fourth year, was working on three trades with the aim of advancing the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals two years later.
However, the Doncic trade and a sluggish start in a season without a young star led to a steep decline. Dallas holds a 3-8 record with Davis sidelined six of 11 games due to a calf injury. Meanwhile, Doncic, playing for the Lakers, is putting up impressive stats, averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game in seven games this season.
Fan Take: This development is a critical turning point for Dallas basketball fans, highlighting how a single major trade can reshape a franchise’s future — for better or worse. It underscores the high stakes involved in NBA management decisions and serves as a cautionary tale for teams balancing ambition and team chemistry.
