Embattled Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was peppered with questions Monday about his decision to trade Luka Dončić in February, admitting he didn’t know exactly how much Mavericks fans cared about the former franchise superstar.
Answering questions from reporters at an end-of-season news conference, Harrison was asked whether the “anger and outrage” from fans exceeded what he expected when he made the decision to trade Dončić, who led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2023.
“I knew Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”
Dončić, a five-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2 in a move that shocked the basketball world. In his introductory news conference with the Lakers, Dončić — who is second only to Michael Jordan in postseason scoring average — said he planned to sign an extension with the Mavericks this summer. He has also since said he planned to spend his entire career in Dallas.
Harrison has been widely criticized for the move, most vociferously by the team’s own fans. Immediately after the trade, Mavericks fans created something of a memorial for Dončić right outside the team’s home arena. Harrison has also been subject to numerous “Fire Nico” chants at home games since the transaction.
In a meeting with selected reporters this month, Harrison said he had “no regrets” about the trade, reportedly repeating the phrase “defense wins championships” when he was asked about his reasoning for the move.
To make matters worse for Dallas, point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in early March, and forward Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the return package for Dončić, appeared in only nine regular season games for the Mavericks because of injuries.
Dallas ultimately missed the playoffs after it lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the Play-In Tournament.
Harrison was asked directly by a reporter why he should still have his job after the turmoil of the last three months.
“I think I’ve done a really good job here,” Harrison said. “I don’t think I can be judged by injuries this year. You have to be judged in totality from beginning to end.”
On April 9, Dončić played in his first game back in Dallas since he joined the Lakers. He visibly cried during the team’s tribute video for him during the game.
He also scored 45 points in a 112-97 win for Los Angeles.
