Outside of the American Airlines Center on Feb. 2, outraged fans gathered to mourn Luka Doncic’s departure from the Dallas Mavericks from the night before. Amongst the crowd, one fan yelled about how Doncic “was supposed to have a statue” next to Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who spent his entire 21-season career in Dallas.
The scene was the first wave of pain that followed the trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison orchestrated the trade and repeatedly reiterates a vague “defense wins championships” mantra since Doncic was traded. Around the metroplex, fans have chanted “fire Nico” as heartache and anger continue to shoot throughout Dallas.
The decision to trade Doncic at the height of his career is a crippling blow to the franchise. However, Harrison’s behavior after the move reflects badly on the Mavericks and their executives. Pain and disbelief continue circulating around the fanbase, preventing the franchise from healing.
Harrison has called the current Mavericks roster a “championship-caliber team” over the next three to four seasons. So, unless a Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy sits next to the team’s 2011 championship in that time frame, the team and Harrison’s future are in an apparent nosedive.
Meanwhile, Harrison’s actions continue to rub salt on the wound. He addressed a select group of journalists on April 15. Cameras were banned, and ESPN sports writer Tim MacMahon said the two sides had to negotiate to allow recording devices.
MacMahon sought Harrison’s logic for trading Doncic at the height of his career and fresh off an NBA Finals appearance in 2024.
He also mentioned Dallas’s lack of control over first-round draft picks from 2027 to 2030. Previous trades under Harrison have led to losing them or swapping them with other franchises.
“When that credit card bill comes due, […] and you traded the guy who led that Finals team,” MacMahon asked Harrison during the April 15 press conference. “How is that in the long-term best interest when he is, at the time, a 25-year-old, generational talent who could have a 10 to 12-year run?”
Harrison repeated the phrase “defense wins championships” six times throughout the press conference, according to Sports Illustrated’s transcript.
He answered MacMahon’s questions with an evasive tone. Harrison stated he had no regrets about the assets traded or acquired and dismissed MacMahon’s inquiry as an outside opinion, in his eyes, nullifying the need to explain.
“Like I said, we believe in the move we made,” Harrison said. “You obviously don’t and that’s fine. You’re entitled to your own opinions, but we’re excited about the future of our team.”
Harrison’s use of a redundant cliche to explain one of the most shocking trades in recent NBA history lacks transparency. He presents no clear plans for roster construction once veterans like 33-year-old guard Kyrie Irving and 35-year-old small forward Klay Thompson retire.
The primary trade acquisitions, 32-year-old forward Anthony Davis and 22-year-old guard Max Christie, performed well in their first two months as Mavericks. However, neither has nor likely will compensate for Doncic’s offensive output or importance to the team and fanbase.
The Mavericks’ season ended on April 18 with a 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA play-in tournament. Dallas finished the season 39-43, tenth in the Western Conference and 13-20 after Doncic’s departure.
Injuries plagued the Mavericks down the stretch, at one point putting the team at risk of forfeiting games if they had less than eight active players. Therefore, the trade is not entirely responsible for the Mavericks’ decline this season.
The early exit still contributed to the rift between fans and executives as the trade details surfaced at the season’s end. The lack of communication and accountability regarding one of the most beloved players in franchise history is an ominous look for Harrison’s remaining tenure and future decisions as Mavericks general manager.
Harrison spoke to the media on April 21, with cameras on. He upheld the “defense wins championships” mantra and stood behind his decision.
Of his few new statements, one stood out as all but ignorant for a general manager who has witnessed two deep playoff runs since his hiring in 2021.
“I did know that Luka was important to the fanbase. I didn’t quite know it to what level,” Harrison said.
Harrison’s attempt to compare trading Doncic to previous unpopular moves that panned out is cringeworthy. The scar from dealing with him will not fade with time, and only a championship can ease the continued ripples of pain from Harrison’s move.
With the assets Dallas will have to work with, the Mavericks’ chances at playoff success, much less an NBA title, seem grim for at least a decade.
