LakersNow

The Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison less than a year after his shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis.

The Dallas Mavericks have officially parted ways with general manager Nico Harrison, just nine months after his stunning decision to trade franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The news was first reported by Shams Charania (ESPN) on Tuesday (Nov. 11).

According to Charania, Harrison’s dismissal will be finalized in a virtual meeting with team owner Patrick Dumont, marking the end of a tumultuous era in Dallas’ front office.

Harrison’s bold trade earlier this year sent shockwaves through the basketball world. By dealing Dončić for Anthony Davis, he claimed he was reshaping the Mavericks’ identity around defense and accountability. However, results on the court quickly deteriorated, and public support evaporated almost overnight.

Tension Reaches Breaking Point in Dallas

The relationship between Harrison and Mavericks fans never recovered after the Dončić trade. The Slovenian superstar — beloved in Dallas — left behind an emotional void, and the team’s subsequent struggles only amplified the criticism.

Initially, ownership backed Harrison’s long-term vision. But after a disastrous start to the 2025–26 season (3–11 record, second-worst in the West), the pressure became unbearable.

Harrison’s last lifeline came in the summer, when the Mavericks won the lottery and selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick — a move that many hoped would reset the franchise’s trajectory. Yet injuries and inconsistency have plagued the team. Kyrie Irving has missed multiple games, Anthony Davis was recently sidelined with a calf injury, and Flagg’s rookie campaign has been uneven (15.0 points per game so far).

Meanwhile, Luka Shines in Los Angeles

While Dallas sinks in the standings, Luka Dončić is thriving in purple and gold. In just his first full season with the Lakers, the 26-year-old superstar is averaging a jaw-dropping 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game — MVP-caliber numbers that have the Lakers sitting fourth in the Western Conference (8–3).

“It’s ironic,” said an anonymous league executive. “Dallas thought they were getting stability with that trade, but Luka’s thriving in LA has made the move look worse every week.”