Luka Doncic’s $11,000,000 Teammate Gives Brutal Reality Check After Nico Harrison’s Mavs Firing

Luka Doncic’s blockbuster trade to the Lakers last season eventually led to the firing of Dallas Mavericks former General Manager Nico Harrison. Teammate Maxi Kleber, who was also involved in the deal, reacted to Harrison’s sack with a brutal reality check.

Kleber, who has an annual salary of $11,000,000, shared his thoughts on the situation at Dallas on Wednesday ahead of the Lakers’ matchup against the OKC Thunder.

“It’s a fast business,” Kleber said via ESPN’s reporter Dave McMenamin. “Players, GMs, coaches. You just gotta be ready for your next move.”

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Kleber along with Doncic and Markieff Morris were all traded to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. This happened under Nico Harrison, leading to tension between fans and the Mavs’ front office, with “Fire Nico” chants heard at games.

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison - Source: Imagn

Ultimately, owner Patrick Dumont admitted to the error in moving Luka Doncic. Dumont decided to relieve Harrison of his duties on Tuesday morning after a meeting with him.

"This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans," Dumont said in a statement.

While the Mavericks are struggling this season, Doncic is thriving in his first full season in Los Angeles. He is averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game for the 8-3 Lakers.

---

Coach Jason Kidd reportedly aware of the Luka Doncic-Lakers trade

ESPN’s insider Shams Charania disclosed on “First Take” on Tuesday that Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was fully aware of the trade that took Luka Doncic to the Lakers.

“There was full alignment (on the trade) in that organization,” Charania said. “From ownership, to Nico Harrison, his staff, to coach Jason Kidd.”

According to Joe Vardon, Christian Clark and Sam Amick of “The Athletic,” Dumont didn’t decide to fire Harrison unilaterally. He consulted with previous Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who himself was frozen out of the plans to trade Doncic. NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that Cuban, who owns a 27 percent stake in Dallas, had a closed-door meeting with Dumont on Monday.

Edited by Ubong Richard