The Big Lead

Nico Harrison Under Fire for Secretive Response to Luka Doncic Trade Fallout

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By John Robinson IV

Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison walks off the court before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison walks off the court before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison broke his silence this week—but did so behind closed doors, avoiding cameras, recordings, and full media transparency. His comments, given alongside team CEO Rick Welts, marked the first time the Mavericks' leadership publicly addressed the controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers.

Harrison insisted he had “no regrets” about the move, claiming it was in the best interest of the franchise and would ultimately create a championship-caliber team once injuries subsided. He emphasized the decision to trade for Anthony Davis was aligned with the organization’s defense-first philosophy and stood by the belief that Dallas now has one of the league’s strongest frontlines.

However, fans and media alike aren’t buying it. Since the trade, Harrison has faced relentless criticism, with “Fire Nico” chants echoing through the American Airlines Center. Many view the deal as one of the worst in NBA history—especially considering Dončić’s emotional return to Dallas and the Lakers' instant improvement. Critics argue that Harrison’s attempt to dodge accountability by keeping the press conference private only adds to the distrust and frustration.

The GM’s refusal to face the public head-on, paired with a trade that’s already being compared to infamous deals like the “Curse of the Bambino,” has made Harrison public enemy number one in Dallas. The bottom line? If you make a franchise-altering move like this, you can’t hide from the fallout—you have to own it.

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