Nico Harrison’s Post-Firing Plan Uncovered Following Mavericks' Fallout Over Controversial Luka Doncic Trade

On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks announced the firing of Nico Harrison, the team’s former president of basketball operations and general manager. Mavs team governor Patrick Dumont said that the “decision was critical to moving our franchise forward in a positive direction.” Harrison’s dismissal came roughly nine months after he traded Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers for Anthony Davis.

On Thursday, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported the latest on Harrison:

“He’s in good spirits, man. He’s going to take some time to be with himself and his family and just get away from everything. It’s been a tough situation.”

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Dallas fans, not just Mavericks supporters, have been calling for the firing of Nico Harrison since the Luka Doncic trade. The team’s 3-8 start, partly due to Anthony Davis’ injury, ended Harrison’s stint with the Mavericks, which started in June 2021.

Dumont sat courtside when the Mavericks lost 116-114 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. While forward P.J. Washington missed two free throws that would have forced overtime, the “Fire Nico” chants returned in full blast. Less than 24 hours later, Dumont, who sat beside a frustrated fan wearing a Luka Doncic Lakers jersey, fired Harrison.

Under Harrison, the Mavericks reached the 2022 Western Conference finals. Two years later, they lost the 2024 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. Eight months later, Harrison sent Doncic to Los Angeles in what is considered by many as the worst trade in Dallas sports.

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Nico Harrison reportedly pitched and executed Luka Doncic trade

The Luka Doncic trade shocked the sporting world. Athletes from different fields expressed their disbelief when the Dallas Mavericks sent him to the LA Lakers for Anthony Davis.

Following Harrison’s dismissal, Shams Charania reported on Tuesday on First Take the author of that trade:

“It was Nico Harrison. It was Nico Harrison’s decision. It was Nico Harrison’s pitch; it was his idea to trade Luka Doncic.”

Charania added that Patrick Dumont approved the trade, but the owner considered Harrison a “basketball savant.” When the decision to trade Doncic, who wanted to retire in Dallas, backfired, Dumont sent Harrison packing.

Dumont, in an open letter to fans, said that he shares the fans’ “high expectations” of the team. He added that “when results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act.” The billionaire continued that he was committed to “return winning basketball to Dallas and win championships.”

Dumont will try to achieve that without Harrison or Doncic on his payroll.

Edited by Michael Macasero