Nico Harrison: "There's no regrets on the Luka Doncic trade"

[Drygon]

[Curtis] Nico Harrison's answers to each of the questions he was asked in his meeting with the Dallas media this morning

Harrison on how he responds to the outraged fanbase and why does he think Patrick Dumont should not take them up on that advice to fire him:

“Well, the beauty of Dallas is it is a passionate fanbase. For us to reach our goals, we need that fanbase. And to be honest with you, every trade I’ve made since I’ve been here has not been regarded as a good trade. So sometimes it takes time.

When I traded for Kyrie, it was met with a lot of skepticism and it was graded as a terrible trade. You didn’t see it right away, but eventually everyone agreed that it was a great trade. When I traded for Gaff and Lively, it was like, ‘Oh, he gave up way too much.’ These guys are going to help us. Now that trade, you saw the evidence a lot sooner.

So I think a lot of times, trades take a little bit of time but our philosophy going forward is defense wins championships, and we’re built on defense. This trade cements us for that.”

Harrison on if he felt like the Mavs maximized the return for Luka, given Cuban’s “get a better deal” statement:

“When you look at this trade, we targeted AD. With our philosphy of defense wins championships, we wanted a two-way player to lead our team and that was Anthony Davis. Everyone’s going to have their criticism. I’m not sure what Mark (Cuban) said, but that’s a better question left for him. But we got what we wanted.”

Harrison on if he could do it over again, would he do it the same way given the reaction from the fan base:

“Yeah, there’s no regrets on the trade. Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future. Some of the decisions I’m going to make are going to be unpopular. And that’s my job and I have to stand by it. One last thing, I’ll also add that every trade I’ve done has been met with high scrutiny, and so eventually, I’ll earn the trust of this community back. Some of these trades are going to work out and they have at a high level.”

Harrison on if he sees himself in Dallas long term. Does he want to be this team’s GM in 2028, 2029?

“Yeah, I have three years left on my contract. I see myself finishing it out. In terms of Dallas, this is our home. My family, they’re going to finish school here. This is where we live, so this is where I’m living.”

Does Harrison feel like there was any underestimation on what Doncic meant to this fanbase and with that in mind, what did this trade do to his relationship with the fanbase?

“I don’t think there was an underestimation, but clearly we knew afterwards, his impact on the fanbase. I do think our intended roster we put on the floor would’ve subsided a lot of the fanbase’s vitriol, you know, because they would be out there winning. Obviously, with a lot of the injuries we weren’t able to do that and that increased and brought a lot of people that may not have even had an opinion. So that’s unfortunate.”

Does Harrison have any have any concerns about your ability to attract top talent to the Mavericks in the future, given the fallout from the trade?

“No. I don’t. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’m here. But it’s not just me. It’s Dallas. It’s one of the fifth largest metroplexes in the US. It’s a great city to live in. The fanbase is amazing. Part of the ”Fire Nico" chants, although, you would rather the fans cheer for the team and me not be the story. It’s a great fanbase and you need that fanbase to win. I think that’s an attraction. J-Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard, is your coach. I think all of that helps to attract. It’s not just the Nico Harrison show. But to answer your question, no that won’t affect our ability to attract free agents.”

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/04/15/mavericks-gm-nico-harrison-addresses-luka-doncic-trade-fan-outrage-future-in-dallas/

[L.Kizzle]

Did you think he was going to say that he did regret it, 2 months later? The playoffs haven't even started yet.

In a 30 for 30, twenty years from now he'll admit he was wrong.

[Kblaze8855]

Hes not lying About the Kyrie trade. You should read some of those topics from when he went to Dallas.

[Meticode]

Hindsight is 50/50, but in the next 5 years we'll know if the trade failed or not. The whole goal is for Dallas to win a championship. He traded away the second most important franchise player in team history that was just entering his prime for a two or three year window that makes them arguably worse or better.

He must've felt so strongly about Luka not working out long-term because he had to know he was going to get this type of backlash.

[Full Court]

Dallas wasn't winning a championship with Luka. I doubt they will with AD either, but they're not any worse off from a pure basketball standpoint. From an alienating your fan base standpoint....that's a different story.

[ArbitraryWater]

Dallas wasn't winning a championship with Luka. I doubt they will with AD either, but they're not any worse off from a pure basketball standpoint. From an alienating your fan base standpoint....that's a different story.

Son, Dallas is no longer in the playoffs.

[Meticode]

Dallas wasn't winning a championship with Luka. I doubt they will with AD either, but they're not any worse off from a pure basketball standpoint. From an alienating your fan base standpoint....that's a different story.

And the money the franchise loses. Ticket prices got risen. You bring in less revenue because you gave away Luka. Also they could've gotten more for him.

[Real Men Wear Green]

It's never going to be fairly judged because of the Irving injury. Even when he comes back he won't be the same. Irving may not be his new normal level until he's 35 and he's never been a durable player. Meanwhile you have Davis aging and he has also struggled to stay on the court. The main problem with the trade is that Harrison made the team so much older. Lakers just need a few lucky/clever moves to be an elite team again and then Harrison will be looking awful. But they might have had something this season if Irving didn't get hurt.

[Wardell Curry]

Does Harrison feel like there was any underestimation on what Doncic meant to this fanbase and with that in mind, what did this trade do to his relationship with the fanbase?

“I don’t think there was an underestimation, but clearly we knew afterwards, his impact on the fanbase."

Dude literally makes it super obvious in his answer that he's lying. What a moron. lol.

Remember folks: "These are professional people."

Hahahahaha.

Yes, there are morons in NBA front offices today making millions of dollars a year. There are morons in the NBA as coaches.

Not tons, but they're there and some of them have been around for decades of failing to do their jobs properly.

[90sgoat]

Kyrie fell through in the finals, Brunson was better and Nico fumbled that.

[FKAri]

The trade isn't that bad from a value point of view imo. Luka did not commit to a full rehab in the off season. He didn't have a great start to the season as a result. He then got hurt again. He's also gained weight every year in the league. They must've done some forecasting to see that his body wouldn't last. It wasn't a great exchange but I can see how they reached their conclusion.

What's worse was the PR after the trade. Also, backlash is to be expected whenever you trade a fan favorite superstar who is committed to the team. EVEN if the org gets back equal value fans will be unhappy that their emotions have been upended for no real gain. This puts more pressure on the org to show that things are better not just the same which is hard to do when you just reached the finals. The Kyrie injury is also a big blow because of the narrow championship window that the org themselves created.

[Neal Romer]

I think the big regret which he wont acknowledge is simply about which Laker he traded for.

If he could have pulled off Luka for LEBRON, then hed be up for executive of the year. Mavs would be cruising to a title as we speak.

But whats done is done. Theres no turning back the hands of time.

[warriorfan]

Hindsight is 50/50, but in the next 5 years we'll know if the trade failed or not. The whole goal is for Dallas to win a championship. He traded away the second most important franchise player in team history that was just entering his prime for a two or three year window that makes them arguably worse or better.

He must've felt so strongly about Luka not working out long-term because he had to know he was going to get this type of backlash.

I see where you are going with this but it’s not correct, he didn’t do his due diligence and shopped around and or instigated bidding wars. He didn’t get as much of a return as he should have, full stop, even if luka gets injured and never plays again it doesn’t change the fact Nico could have gotten more.

[ImKobe]

I see where you are going with this but it’s not correct, he didn’t do his due diligence and shopped around and or instigated bidding wars. He didn’t get as much of a return as he should have, full stop, even if luka gets injured and never plays again it doesn’t change the fact Nico could have gotten more.

I feel like this take is a bit flawed. If Mavs made it public Luka would've forced himself to any team of his choice as he only has 1 more year left on his deal. So any imaginary trade where a team gives up all their good players & picks to get Doncic would be unrealistic. Mavs wanted to keep contending while moving on from Luka so Lakers/AD was the right choice, but Nico had time to get more assets out of Rob but caved for no reason.

[Im Still Ballin]

Alpha as ****. Nico will be GOATed when Dallas somehow gets Flagg or Harper.

[Lakers Legend#32]

Certainly not on Lakers fans part.

[TMac&Luther]

Hindsight is 50/50, but in the next 5 years we'll know if the trade failed or not. The whole goal is for Dallas to win a championship. He traded away the second most important franchise player in team history that was just entering his prime for a two or three year window that makes them arguably worse or better.

He must've felt so strongly about Luka not working out long-term because he had to know he was going to get this type of backlash.

I don't need 5 years, the trade/return was epically stupid when it happened, still is, and still will be 5 years from now.

Anytime a coach/G.M. has to discuss his decisions or future with a sports franchise it's a death nail to his future with that franchise. If Nico doesn't get fired this off season he most certainly will the next.. just so the franchise can bring the fans back on board. Different sport, but Houston went through this same crap with Bill O'Brien and Jack Easterby. Nico's stupid trade might even cost Jason Kidd his job in the long run as the new GM is going to want his guy as he rebuilds the team, because this team as currently constructed ain't winning anything anytime soon.

[ILLsmak]

Hindsight is 50/50,

Wow, that's one I've never seen before haha.

-Smak

[Meticode]

It looks like Harrison is the scape goat.

Ownership came to him and told him to move Luka and figure it out is what is being reported.

Also, all the flack he's getting for the closed door meeting with Dallas media (including me) was not brought on by him but ownership made him do it.

Basically, it looks like after Cuban sold his majority share of the Mavericks new ownership went full retard.

[3ba11]

I believe him

[StickyWice]

Wow, that's one I've never seen before haha.

-Smak

That rough test

I no see 50ft away but I have small eyes

[Full Court]

Son, Dallas is no longer in the playoffs.

They would have been a first round elimination, homie. My point stands.

[iamgine]

Nico is the fall guy and he's playing it nicely.

[Axe]

Son, Dallas is no longer in the playoffs.
https://c.tenor.com/NBoOgmdfL2kAAAAC/tenor.gif (https://i.ibb.co/LRYVhvB/IMG-20240928-122514.jpg)

[crisoner]

Nico is the fall guy and he's playing it nicely.

This lol

[Norcaliblunt]

The trade was shady as hell. Point blank period.

The fact Luka ended up in LA makes this shit really suspect.

Anyone who tries to argue why this happened from an on court “basketball” point of view is just as suspect.

Lakers vs Celtics finals book it.

[Meticode]

The trade was shady as hell. Point blank period.

The fact Luka ended up in LA makes this shit really suspect.

Anyone who tries to argue why this happened from an on court “basketball” point of view is just as suspect.

Lakers vs Celtics finals book it.

And if the Lakers don't make it they'll be some other conspiracy or sus reason that you crazy people will make up. Don't make your tin foil hat so obvious.

[Norcaliblunt]

And if the Lakers don't make it they'll be some other conspiracy or sus reason that you crazy people will make up. Don't make your tin foil hat so obvious.

Don’t make your lack of brain cells so obvious.

Something shady doesn’t mean some grand tin foil hat conspiracy. LMAO!!!!!

Shady questionable shit happens everyday and this trade is one of them.

There’s no argument for this trade being a net positive on or off the court for the Mavs. Anyone trying is being dishonest and shady. Point blank period end of discussion.


As for the Lakers making the finals? Yeah that’s me throwing a little extra sauce on top but hey that’s what I’m predicting given the situation.

[rmt]

This is my first Luka trade thread - either reading or commenting in - so disgusted was I on hearing of this trade. Which IDIOT trades a 25 year old (what - 3rd best player in the league?) who led his team to the Finals last year and entering his (hopefully long) prime - for Street Clothes (old, fragile) Davis? And people don't believe in conspiracy theories? - lol. IMHO, just to get hype up for Lebron vs MJ should Lakers sniff the Finals.

I thought that Gasol gifted to Kobe took the cake (that was somewhat understandable given Jerry West's ties to Lakers) but this trade makes no sense - hurts what little integrity left of the NBA/game.

[ArbitraryWater]

They would have been a first round elimination, homie. My point stands.

based on what? :oldlol:

[bizil]

Nico is indeed the fall guy for damn sure. The Mavs NOW have majority owners who don't really care about The Mavs as their top priority or passion project. Cuban was a life long hoop head and man of the people. And actually KNEW THE GAME in general better than most if not all NBA owners. If he was gonna trade Luka (which he would never have done) he would have gotten such a tremendous deal that the fans wouldn't have been as upset. PLUS the fans trusted Cuban and would have seen the haul they got for Luka.

Even though Luka is only 25 years, I can't name five PG's peak-prime wise HISTORICALLY I would take over current Luka. GOAT wise, we all know Luka has work to do though of course. But even at that, he's made more All NBA first teams than some of the top 10 GOAT's PG's already.

Oscar, Luka, Bird, Bron, and Joker are the only guys who are 27-30 PPG triple double guys who are ALSO savant level passers-IQ guys. So with Luka, you are talking about a superstar who looks to be on track to race past the other GOAT PG's and join Magic and Steph on the PG Mt. Rushmore. Plus he's the rare Eurpoean who has the IT FACTOR to be the face of the league at some point. So he's box office as well. Being in LA ACTUALLY is a blessing for Luka. But the WAY it happened was shady and wrong af!!

[90sgoat]

Plus he's the rare Eurpoean who has the IT FACTOR to be the face of the league at some point.

There were just news that Luka is now the best selling jersey worldwide.

Luka is the face of the NBA now and it does make the conspiracy theories seem more legit.

[bizil]

There were just news that Luka is now the best selling jersey worldwide.

Luka is the face of the NBA now and it does make the conspiracy theories seem more legit.

That says it all right there!! It's crazy that the face of the league for so long (Bron) is now playing with the new face. The way Magic (new face of the league in tandem with Bird) enabled Kareem (prior face of the league in tandem with Doc) to age gracefully while winning chips. It's the most similar situation I can think of when it comes to Luka-Bron. We just gotta see if they can actually pull it off winning the rings like Magic and Kareem.

[BarberSchool]

1. Mavs front office top shelf N!ggas just can’t stop lying. Any of them. All terrible liars.

2. Mavs too front office guys ALSO, simultaneously, CANNOT JUST SHUT THE FU@K UP.

It’s as if the Adelson’s, DuMont, Nico all just collectively suffer from a massively childlike, self-unaware delusion. It’s as if they’re completely unaware that the public clearly knows they’re obviously perpetually lying, gaslighting, etc … they seem to genuinely think they’re both smart, and have a shred of a chance to be somehow magically vindicated any game now lol

Insane to witness a casino mafia family and their son in law, be so completely detached from reality, and so very deeply dug into a giant hole of their own creation, but are either unaware of just how badly they fu@ked up, but also now with the Dirk stuff, they just keep making it all worse and worse, almost daily.