Mavericks GM Nico Harrison defends job amid calls for firing from Luka Doncic trade: ‘I’ve done a really good job here’

In February, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison set the NBA world ablaze when he traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. At an end-of-season press conference on Monday, Harrison reflected on the decision.

“I think I’ve done a really good job here, and I don’t think I can be judged for the injuries this year. … I think I have a really good working relationship with Patrick [Dumont],” Harrison said, per Colin Salao. “I did know that Luka was important to the fan base. I didn’t quite know it to what level.

“When you have 20,000 people chanting in the stadium saying ‘Fire Nico,’ you really feel it. … But I’m good. God’s got me covered.”

Specifically, the Mavericks traded Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick. It was the first time in NBA history that two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason.

The Mavericks’ fanbase had a visceral reaction to the trade. In the days following the trade, fans protested outside of American Airlines Center, demanding for the Mavericks to bring Doncic back to Dallas.

Other fans waited until they had Harrison as a captive audience to let their frustrations be heard. At almost every Mavericks home game until the end of the season, “Fire Nico” chants would break out among the crowd.

Mavericks fans’ outcries were particularly loud on April 9, when Luka Doncic made his return to Dallas. The Lakers defeated the Mavericks 112-97. In the win, Doncic erupted for 45 points, eight rebounds and six assists while shooting 7-10 from beyond the arc.

Despite Doncic’s success on the Lakers, Nico Harrison hasn’t backed down from defending the trade. He’s continuously emphasized that the Mavericks weren’t at full-strength this season due to Kyrie Irving suffering a season-ending knee injury.

“I think if we have put the team that we intended to put on the floor, I think that would have quieted some of the outrage,” Harrison said. “We fully expect to have Kyrie back with us next year when he gets healed from his injury and we believe we’ll compete for a championship.”

The Mavericks finished their season with a 38-42 record. When they traded Doncic, they were 36-23. Thus, they went 13-20 after the Doncic trade. They failed to reach the NBA Playoffs after making the NBA Finals in the previous season.