Mavericks Fire GM Nico Harrison: Owner Admits ‘Mistake’ Trade

Dallas Mavericks fans are grappling with significant changes as the organization announced the firing of General Manager Nico Harrison. The move comes in the wake of public scrutiny and an admission from owner Patrick Dumont regarding a controversial trade involving former Mavs superstar Luka Doncic.

The Courtside Confession That Led to Change

The catalyst for Harrison’s termination appears to be a courtside interaction between Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont and a fan. During Monday’s 116-114 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Dumont was seen engaged in a lengthy conversation with a fan sporting a No. 77 Luka Doncic Lakers’ jersey. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that during this exchange, Dumont conceded the organization had made a “mistake” with the February trade of Luka Doncic and vowed to “take accountability.” Just one day later, Harrison was out.

The Disastrous Luka Doncic Trade

The “mistake” Dumont referred to was the stunning February decision to trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. This move reportedly happened without the Mavericks exploring other offers, drawing widespread ire from fans and criticism from across the league. A Western Conference executive told NJ Advance Media, “If Nico had to make the Luka Doncic trade again he probably would turn it down in hindsight. That trade killed him.”

Mavericks’ Struggles Post-Doncic Era

Since the blockbuster trade, the Dallas Mavericks have been on a downward spiral. After falling to 3-8 following their loss to the Bucks, the team now holds the second-worst record in the Western Conference. Injuries have compounded their woes, with key player Kyrie Irving currently sidelined with an ACL injury. Although the Mavericks secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, landing former Duke star Cooper Flagg, their current performance has left many Dallas faithful disillusioned.

Luka Doncic Thriving with the Lakers

Meanwhile, the player at the center of the controversy, Luka Doncic, is flourishing with his new team. As a Los Angeles Lakers guard, Doncic has already scored 260 points in nine games, helping the Lakers to an impressive 8-3 start to the season. This success comes even with Lakers star LeBron James sitting out due to a sciatica issue, highlighting Doncic’s immediate impact elsewhere.

Dirk Nowitzki Weighs In on the Crisis

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has not shied away from expressing his dismay at the team’s current state. Speaking to Dallas beat writer Grant Afseth, Nowitzki lamented, “I feel bad for my Mavs fans. This has been a disastrous start. There’s a hole at the point guard and playmaking positions. We knew that hole wasn’t filled this summer, so there’s a gap in shot creation and shot making.” He further criticized the team’s offense, stating, “They’re actually on pace to have a record-bad start offensively. They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays. It’s all side-to-side, east-and-west handoffs. Nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch.”

Mavericks vs. Lakers Post-Trade Snapshot

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why was Mavs GM Nico Harrison fired?
  Owner Patrick Dumont publicly admitted the organization made a “mistake” with the Luka Doncic trade, leading to Harrison’s termination just a day after a revealing courtside conversation with a fan.
• What was the “mistake” trade mentioned by the owner?
  The “mistake” was the decision in February to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis without exploring other offers, a move that drew significant fan and executive criticism.
• How are the Dallas Mavericks performing now?
  As of November 11, 2025, the Mavericks are struggling with a 3-8 record, placing them as the second-worst team in the Western Conference. Their struggles are compounded by Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury.
• How is Luka Doncic doing with the Lakers?
  Luka Doncic is excelling with the Lakers, having scored 260 points in nine games and helping his new team achieve an 8-3 start, despite LeBron James being out with a sciatica issue.
• What has been the local reaction to the team’s struggles?
  Dallas fans have been “irate” since the trade. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has called the team’s current performance a “disastrous start” due to significant offensive deficiencies.

For Dallas fans, the road ahead appears challenging. The organization now faces the critical task of finding new leadership to navigate the team out of its current slump and rebuild confidence among a frustrated fanbase.

Mavericks Fire GM After Owner Admits Doncic Mistake