Backlash Grows Over Mavericks' Dončić Trade

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has faced intense backlash after trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, admitting he underestimated fan attachment to the star player. Harrison cited a vision to build around Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II, but injuries undermined the plan and Dallas missed the playoffs. Fans staged protests, chanted 'Fire Nico,' and gathered outside the arena to voice their anger, while critics argued the trade sacrificed long-term competitiveness by swapping a young superstar for aging, injury-prone veterans. The controversy worsened when Harrison fired longtime staffer Casey Smith while Smith's mother was gravely ill, fueling perceptions of poor leadership. The fallout from these decisions continues to strain the relationship between the organization and its supporters. The Mavericks aim to regroup in the offseason amid ongoing calls for Harrison’s dismissal.