The Mavericks, a team that reached the NBA Finals in 2024, are now among the worst teams in the league. Many believe the franchise’s downfall stems directly from decisions made under Harrison’s leadership. In 2021, Harrison succeeded Donnie Nelson as general manager and president of basketball operations. Upon joining the Mavericks, his stated goal was to build around superstar Luka Dončić. Under Harrison, the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals and, most notably, upset the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024 en route to the NBA Finals.
Harrison’s most infamous move came in February 2025, when Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The trade shocked the NBA and devastated Mavericks fans, who had just watched their franchise player lead the team to the Finals. Many expected Dončić to remain the face of the franchise for years to come.
The reaction to the trade was overwhelmingly negative. Fans and media alike criticized the move, and the backlash escalated into protests, chants of “Fire Nico” at games, and even demonstrations at public events such as St. Patrick’s Day parades and medieval-themed dinners. Some fans were removed from games for chanting. Harrison defended the trade by stating that “defense wins championships,” but the explanation failed to ease tensions. Since trading Dončić, the Mavericks have failed to post a winning record and have missed the playoffs entirely.
Beyond the Dončić trade, Harrison made several other questionable roster decisions. In the 2023 offseason, he traded Kristaps Porziņģis to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. The move was widely criticized, as the Mavericks gave up a generational talent without receiving a long-term star in return. While Porziņģis was unhappy in Dallas, the return left the team with short-term role players, costing the Mavericks rim protection and floor spacing.
Two days after trading Dončić, Harrison dealt Quentin Grimes and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caleb Martin. Grimes, a young and promising 3-and-D wing, was traded for an injured veteran on a difficult contract. Grimes has since thrived with the Sixers, while Martin has struggled with injuries and underperformance. The Mavericks, who rank 26th in NBA scoring, could have greatly benefited from Grimes’ skill set.
Harrison also traded a 2025 first-round pick for Christian Wood in an attempt to add versatility around Dončić. The move failed to address the team’s defensive issues, and Wood was out of the league just two years later. Surrendering a first-round pick for a short-term experiment severely damaged the team’s future flexibility. Additionally, Harrison allowed Jalen Brunson to walk in free agency after a breakout season in Dallas. Brunson averaged 22 points per game during the Mavericks’ 2022 Western Conference Finals run and later became a franchise cornerstone for the New York Knicks, transforming them into perennial contenders.
I attended a Mavericks game after Harrison was fired earlier this year. Despite the team’s poor record, the atmosphere was energetic and hopeful. Fans clearly wanted change, and their reactions reflected the deep frustration left behind by Harrison’s tenure. After leading the Mavericks to the Finals, Harrison made what many consider one of the worst trades in NBA history, turning a championship contender into a lottery team.
Nico Harrison’s time in Dallas may go down as one of the most damaging front-office tenures in recent NBA history—a cautionary example of how poor decision-making can dismantle a promising franchise built around elite talent.