Nico Harrison is reportedly on the verge of being fired as the GM of the Dallas Mavericks. Here’s a timeline of how it all went downhill for him after the Mavs made the NBA Finals only 17 months ago.
Dallas advanced to face the Boston Celtics in its first trip to the NBA Finals since winning it all in 2011, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Dončić, who finished Game 5 with 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals, was named MVP of the series after averaging 32.4 points across five games.
The Mavericks would fall to the Celtics in the Finals in five games.
Klay Thompson, a key contributor to the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks, who sent two second-round draft picks, one in 2025 and another in 2031, to Golden State as part of the sign-and-trade deal.
The Mavericks star left the team’s 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half on Christmas Day due to a left calf injury an injury that would sideline Dončić for more than a month.
In perhaps the most shocking trade in NBA history, Dallas sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round draft pick in a three-team deal that also included the Jazz.
Following the news of the trade, which broke after midnight on the East Coast, Mavs GM Nico Harrison told ESPN: I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. Were built to win now and in the future.
At the introductory news conference for Dončić, Lakers executive Rob Pelinka thanked Nico Harrison for trading Dončić to Los Angeles, calling it “a gift.”
Dončić, who still looked stunned two days after the trade, said he would “take the high road” in response to comments made about him from the Mavericks after the trade was made.
Ahead of the Dallas’ first home game after the trade, Mavericks fans protested outside of American Airlines Center. Some signs called for Nico Harrison to be fired. Other fans called for the team to be sold.
In his first game with the Mavericks, Davis was impressive, totaling 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in only 31 minutes. But, in the third quarter, he exited the game with a lower-body injury. After the game, Davis told reporters that it was “nothing serious.” But the next day it was reported that Davis had suffered an adductor strain and would miss weeks.
In his first public comments about the trade in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Dumont cited “character” and “culture” as reasons for the trade. Dumont also said, “If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe, Shaq [ONeal] they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you dont have that, it doesnt work. And if you dont have that, you shouldnt be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”
Dončić made his Lakers debut against the Jazz, draining his first points with the Lakers on a 3-pointer from the top of the key just a few minutes into the contest. Dončić finished with 14 points in a 132-113 win. He added five rebounds and four assists in what was his first game back after the calf injury he suffered on Christmas.
During a home game against the Sacramento Kings, Mavericks fans were ejected from their seats at American Airlines Center after calling for the firing of general manager Nico Harrison. A fan drew the attention of the video board’s producers during a karaoke segment. But instead of singing along, he appeared to mouth the words “Fire Nico.” Another video showed what appeared to be the same fan and his neighbor holding up signs that distinctly read: “Fire Nico.” They were escorted out of the arena by security.
At the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, the trade was still the talk of the league, even among the stars. “Two weeks later, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen,” said the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.
At Adam Silver’s press conference, the commissioner also addressed the trade and concern about the Mavericks’ future in Dallas. “Whether or not history will judge this as a smart trade, they did what they thought was in the best interest of the organization,” said Silver. “I have absolutely no knowledge or belief that there were any ulterior motives. There is no doubt in my mind that the Dumont and Adelson families bought that team to keep it in Dallas. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are committed to the long-term future there.”
During an appearance at 96.7 The Ticket’s Ticketstock event, Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki shared his reaction upon first hearing that Dončić had been traded. He also discussed what it was like seeing Luka in a Lakers uniform: “Ill never be a Lakers fan, but I must always be a Luka fan.”
Dončić reunited with the Mavericks and recorded his first triple-double as a member of the Lakers in a 107-99 win against his old team. He finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two blocks. After the game, Doncic said: “I am just glad its over.”
Grimes, whom the Mavericks also traded away at the deadline, scored a career-high 44 points for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 24-year-old guard, who will be a restricted free agent, had averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22.8 minutes over 47 games for Dallas. That has jumped to 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds with Philly.
The team announced it was raising ticket prices for next season, citing “ongoing investments in the team.” The price hike will result in an average overall price increase of 8.61%, WFAA reported. As expected, season ticket-holders were not happy about the increase.
Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Irving went down early in the team’s 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Irving was driving to the hoop late in the first quarter at the American Airlines Center when his left knee bent awkwardly as he attempted a layup.
At a speaking engagement a month earlier, Dumont explained that the Luka Dončić trade was about the “future” and creating the “most competitive team.”
Dumont was a guest at the Real Estate Council’s Bank of Texas Speaker Series on Feb. 13 and discussed business matters as well as the trade.
Dončić both cried and conquered in his return to Dallas, beginning the game with remnants of tears in his eyes before leading his new team to a 112-97 win.
Dončić had 31 points at halftime before stepping off the gas a bit, eventually finishing with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. The win officially clinched an NBA playoff spot for Los Angeles.
The Mavericks would eventually be eliminated in the play-in tournament.
The Mavericks overcame the fourth-longest odds of 14 lottery participants and a 1.8% chance to secure the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The long-shot win capped a tumultuous season in which the Mavericks’ fan base turned on its beloved franchise after Harrison orchestrated the Dončić deal that’s been widely lambasted as one of the worst in the history of sports.
The Mavericks selected Flagg with the No. 1 pick. “It’s really amazing,” Flagg told ESPN after being drafted. “It’s a dream come true, to be honest. I wouldn’t want to share it with anybody else.”
At Flagg’s introductory news conference, Harrison famously said: “I think the fans can finally start to see the vision.”
The Mavericks struck a two-year, $13 million deal with Russell, as a temporary replacement for Irving. Russell, who has bounced around a lot in recent years, is shooting just 37.3% from the field and 27.8% from 3-point land to start the 2025-26 season.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft posted 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds and three turnovers, against the San Antonio Spurs in his first true taste of NBA action.
Flagg has gotten out to a slow start this season, as he was forced to play point guard to open the season. The experiment didn’t work. The Mavericks posted one of the worst offenses in the game, and Flagg was quickly moved off the position to play into his strengths.
Davis left Dallas’ against the Indiana Pacers with what the team described as “left lower leg soreness” and did not return. He has missed five straight games.
Mavericks fans have had it. Monday night marked a new low in the Nico Harrison saga as fans in Dallas revived the “Fire Nico” chant during a home game that the Mavericks still had a chance to win.
With 1.2 seconds remaining against the Milwaukee Bucks, Mavericks forward P.J. Washington was fouled on a 3-point shot as Milwaukee held a 116-113 lead. When he got to the line with a chance to tie the game with three free throws, Mavericks fans focused their energy not on the outcome of the game, but on their disdain for the Dallas general manager who traded away Luka Dončić.
Harrison’s tenure as Dallas’ general manager is reportedly ending Tuesday, with the franchise set to name Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as his replacements in the interim.