Mavericks may be closing in on much-needed Nico Harrison decision

The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in an effort to "win now" and in the future, a ridiculous notion, but it's becoming clearer that General Manager Nico Harrison had a personal vendetta against the superstar. Doncic didn't possess Harrison's ideal work ethic and the GM thought Doncic was holding the team hostage, so he dumped him in the middle of the night to the Los Angeles Lakers for a minimal return.

That angered the fanbase in a way people have rarely seen. There have been riots, protests, "Fire Nico" chants, and canceled season tickets in droves ever since the trade, which was very predictable if you're in tune with the franchise. Mavericks fans saw Luka Doncic as the heir to Dirk Nowitzki's throne, who is arguably the most beloved athlete in Dallas' history. Apparently, the only people who didn't see an angered fanbase coming were the high-ranking executives within the Mavericks.

Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks fans gather outside the arena before the game between the Dallas and the Houston Rockets to protest the Nico Harrison trade of former Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

According to DLLS' Tim Cato, new Mavericks Governor had no idea how strong the fan's reaction would be, which is forcing him to reconsider Nico Harrison's position with the team.

"...Those team sources consistently express belief that Dumont no longer sees Harrison as a figure with irreproachable basketball expertise," Cato reported. "Most notably, team and league sources say, Dumont has had frustration with Harrison not warning him — or, perhaps even more damningly, being unaware — of the fandom’s outrage following the trade. Those same sources say it had some influence over Dumont’s decision to make Harrison appear for last week’s closed media event, which Harrison did not want to.”

The pressure around the team has heightened after missing the playoffs. This team had championship aspirations entering the season, and trading Doncic was the main catalyst for missing the playoffs.

The only thing keeping Dumont from dismissing Harrison immediately, according to reports, is that Dumont doesn't want to enter a long grueling rebuild. The "Fire Nico" chants and ire from the fanbase have "certainly been noted," per Tim Cato, though. But the team has no present or future without Doncic, and a rebuild may be what's best for the team long-term. But in order to repair the relationship with a betrayed fanbase, it will have to start with firing Nico Harrison.

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