“He Will Return to Dallas ASAP”: Luka Doncic Fuels Mavericks Fans' Hopes of Reunion After Cryptic Comments on Nico Harrison's Firing

Luka Doncic fueled Dallas Mavericks fans' hopes of a comeback to the franchise nine months following his blockbuster trade that shook the NBA. On Wednesday, Doncic addressed former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison's dismissal with cryptic comments during his post-game availability.

A reporter asked Doncic if Harrison's firing opened the pathway to his Dallas return at some point, to which the five-time All-Star replied, saying:

"Right now I'm just focused on the Lakers, man. Like, no further comments."

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Doncic couldn't help but smile while commenting on it. After he didn't explicitly reject the idea, Mavericks fans rallied on X with hopes of a shocking reunion with the former franchise centerpiece.

Here's how they reacted:

Luka Doncic went through a wave of emotions during this switch, so for now, it remains an unlikely proposition for him to make another switch back to Dallas. The Lakers also won't willingly move him after entirely aligning their future with Doncic's timeline at the risk of LeBron James potentially leaving.

Doncic is under contract through 2029 after signing a $161.4 million extension this offseason. The earliest he can become a free agent is in 2028 by opting out of his deal.

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What Luka Doncic said about the Mavericks firing Nico Harrison

One of the major reasons behind Luka Doncic's trade was Nico Harrison. On Tuesday, Harrison got fired for it. Doncic didn't mention Harrison while addressing the situation, but made an emotional statement about the Mavericks team and fans, saying:

"The city of Dallas, the fans, players they always have a special place in my heart. I thought I was gonna stay there forever, but I didn't. ... Always I can call it home. But right now I'm focused on the Lakers, trying to move on."

The former Dallas Mavericks general manager proposed the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap, executed the process and brought everyone on board for this league-altering deal.

Already angered and upset, Doncic felt disrespected by Harrison's comments upon making the trade, as the former Mavericks executive believed he wasn't fit enough to lead the team due to his defensive flaws.

Here's what Doncic said in a sitdown with ESPN's Malika Andrews in April:

"It's just sad the way he's talking right now. I never said anything bad about him. And I just want to move on."

Doncic didn't get any closure from Harrison. They haven't spoken since the trade, and Harrison didn't inform Doncic about the deal, either.

Edited by Arhaan Raje