Key Takeaways:
- On Tuesday, the Mavericks dismissed GM Nico Harrison, nine months after the controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers
- Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been named co-interim general managers to steer basketball operations
- Anthony Davis, acquired in the trade, has missed 30 out of 44 regular-season games since joining Dallas in February
Management Shake-Up After Criticised Trade
The Dallas Mavericks have removed Nico Harrison from his post as general manager, acting on increasing pressure stemming from the widely criticised deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis in February. The decision, announced on Tuesday, comes just a day after Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont attended a 116-114 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks, where chants of “fire Nico” echoed once again among supporters. Fan unrest has been persistent since the blockbuster trade, and the subsequent leadership move reflects the ownership’s acknowledgement of the failed gamble.
Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont's letter to Dallas fans after firing GM Nico Harrison: pic.twitter.com/rmM6SVFN7a
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2025
Changes in Basketball Operations
Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been appointed as co-interim general managers to lead basketball operations through this transitional phase. Despite securing the No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, with only a 1.8% probability in the draft lottery, the franchise has struggled to restore goodwill among its supporters. Attendance has notably declined, with large numbers of empty seats seen in the upper stands at American Airlines Center – a rarity since 2018, the year Dallas originally acquired Doncic with the third overall pick.
Impact and Fallout from the Doncic Deal
At the time of his transfer, Doncic was a 25-year-old elite point guard in his prime. Harrison’s decision to trade him for Davis – a player with a reputation for injuries – has come under further scrutiny in light of Davis missing 30 of 44 games since joining the Mavericks. The team’s fortunes have dwindled rapidly, starting this season 3-8, with Davis out for six of these eleven games due to a calf injury. Meanwhile, on the court, Doncic’s former team has flourished: the Lakers are now 8-3, and Doncic joined Wilt Chamberlain in opening a season with three straight games of at least 40 points before an injury break.
| Player | Team (Post-Trade) | Games Missed | 2025-26 Team Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers | 3 | 8-3 |
| Anthony Davis | Dallas Mavericks | 30 of 44 | 3-8 |
Harrison’s Tenure and Previous Moves
Nico Harrison joined the Mavericks in 2021 after a prominent 20-year career at Nike, where he established connections with several NBA stars, notably the late Kobe Bryant. His initial months brought stability after a period of upheaval that saw the departure of former GM Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle. Harrison’s significant personnel changes included hiring head coach Jason Kidd and splitting up Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, acquiring Spencer Dinwiddie, who contributed to the Mavericks’ run to the 2022 Western Conference finals. Dinwiddie was later involved in the trade that brought Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn, which, despite injury woes, eventually led to the Mavericks reaching their first NBA Finals in 13 years during the 2023-24 season, before defeat to Boston in five games.
Ownership Response and Future Directions
Patrick Dumont, whose family acquired the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in late 2023, stated, “No one associated with the Mavericks organization is happy with the start of what we all believed would be a promising season… You have high expectations for the Mavericks, and I share them with you. When the results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act.” Although he did not specifically mention the Doncic trade, Dumont acknowledged the negative reaction from fans. Dumont approved the trade, which spared the Mavericks a $346 million, five-year supermax extension for Doncic, and Harrison sought to justify his position with the mantra “defense wins championships.” However, without Davis and with Irving sidelined by an ACL injury last March, the team endured one of the league’s poorest offensive performances and ultimately missed the playoffs, just a season after reaching the NBA Finals.
Legacy and Interim Leadership
Michael Finley, previously Harrison’s lead assistant and a decade-long presence in the Dallas front office, was a two-time All-Star with the Mavericks during the early 2000s, while Matt Riccardi now joins him as co-interim general manager. The franchise now seeks to reset under their stewardship and rebound from a tumultuous period marked by high expectations, injuries, and controversial decisions.
