Kendrick Perkins uses Anthony Edwards to defend Nico Harrison’s stunning trade of Luka Doncic

At least Nico Harrison has one person defending him. 

Kendrick Perkins claimed he could see “what Nico Harrison was talking about” regarding the Mavericks GM’s decision to trade away generational talent Luka Doncic to the Lakers earlier this season. 

Harrison has done little to explain his vision for the Mavericks — outside of stressing the importance of defense — since the trade that shocked the basketball world, but Perkins took to defending him during “First Take” this week in a surprise twist, using the performance of Anthony Edwards to make his point. 

“Watching the fourth quarter — the second half — the fourth quarter, in particular, I saw what Nico Harrison was talking about,” Perkins said during the show. “When it comes down to the reason why he traded Luka. He traded Luka because he felt that the Dallas Mavericks would not be able to win a championship with Luka — we all know this. I didn’t feel that way watching the game, looking at Anthony Edwards. I’m saying to myself, Anthony Edwards is going to win a championship before Luka Dončić. Anthony Edwards is built different. Anthony Edwards is a better all-around basketball player than Luka Dončić.”

Harrison has been strongly criticized for the move and has been somewhat tight-lipped about why he made the trade, part of which has been explained with “defense wins championships.” 

The Lakers are one game away from being eliminated, with Game 5 set to take place on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. 

Doncic has averaged 30.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game during the first-round series against the Timberwolves. 

Doncic had 38 points in Game 4’s loss, making it the third game of the series that he recorded more than 30 points. 

Edwards has 28.0 points and 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game versus the Lakers through the first four games.