Dallas GM Offers Brutal Honestly on Why Luka Doncic Was Traded to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers completed the most shocking trade in NBA history when they traded for Luka Doncic. It was a trade so wild that fans still can't understand why it happened.

Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time since the trade last week. It was a game that had fans chanting "fire Nico" multiple times throughout the game.

Nico Harrison is the GM of the Mavericks and the person who decided to trade Doncic despite the fact that he was the face of the franchise. He really wanted Anthony Davis, and that's who he got in exchange for Doncic.

Harrison sat down with local reporters for the first time since making the trade a couple of weeks before the trade deadline. He did not allow any cameras or recording devices, which is strange enough.

Apparently, Harrison has no regrets over the trade despite the fury from the Mavericks fans.

Nico Harrison addressed the media Tuesday:

“Yeah, there’s no regrets on the trade. Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future.”

“When you look at this trade, we targeted AD. With our philosophy of defense wins championships,…
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 15, 2025

Harrison is doubling down on his decision to move on from Doncic. He truly believes that defense is the best way to win an NBA championship, and Doncic's defense isn't up to snuff for him.

Harrison also believes that he will be able to play out his three-year contract. I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were him.

If Davis doesn't play a full season next season and the Mavericks contend for a title, the trade will overwhelmingly be considered a failure for Dallas. For most Mavericks fans, it is already considered a failure.

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The Mavericks are the tenth seed and will have to play two Play-In games in order to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Lakers are considered one of the favorites to win the NBA title if they stay healthy.

Lakers fans are extremely happy to have Doncic on their team. Mavs fans couldn't be more angry about it. Harrison doesn't seem to care.

This is either going to be an all-time great trade or an all-time failure. There is no in-between outcome for the Mavericks.

In the regular season, following the trade to the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.

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