Luka Doncic remains at the center of controversy months after his shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. General manager Nico Harrison is under fire after admitting he underestimated how deeply Mavericks fans loved the five-time All-Star.
Harrison Admits Misjudging Fan Loyalty to Luka Doncic
In an end-of-season press conference, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison was asked whether he expected the level of “anger and outrage” from fans after trading Luka Doncic, who had led Dallas to the NBA Finals just two years earlier.
“I knew Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”
The admission has only added fuel to the criticism Harrison has faced since making the trade in February. The fanbase reacted emotionally, creating a makeshift memorial for Luka Doncic outside the Mavericks’ home arena. Chants of “Fire Nico” echoed throughout home games.
Doncic’s Trade Still Haunts Dallas
Luka Doncic, who ranks second only to Michael Jordan in postseason scoring average, was dealt to the Lakers on February 2. In his first press conference in LA, Doncic had expressed intentions to sign a contract extension with Dallas and even stated he hoped to retire a Maverick.
His departure not only shocked fans but also left the Mavericks struggling. Star point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March, and Anthony Davis — the centerpiece of the return — played only nine regular-season games due to injuries. Dallas missed the playoffs after losing in the Play-In Tournament.
Harrison Stands by the Decision
Despite the backlash, Harrison insisted he had “no regrets” about trading Luka Doncic, emphasizing the importance of defense. “You have to be judged in totality from beginning to end,” he said when asked why he should keep his job.
On April 9, Luka Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time as a Laker. During a tribute video, he was seen visibly emotional and later scored 45 points in a 112-97 win over the Mavericks — a reminder of what the team had lost.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Luka Doncic’s impact on Dallas was far greater than Nico Harrison ever imagined.
