The Dallas Mavericks are a team in turmoil, and the fan base has placed the blame squarely on the front office. Ever since Luka Dončić’s shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that sent away a player many believed would retire in Dallas, the organization has been at odds with its supporters.
That frustration has now boiled over into the arena, creating a tense atmosphere for a team that is struggling to find its footing.
Why Are Mavericks Fans Calling for Nico Harrison’s Job?
Weeks into the 2025-26 season, the ripple effects of the Dončić trade continue to be felt. With the team falling to the 14th spot in the Western Conference with a 3-8 record, fans have begun chanting for the team to fire general manager Nico Harrison during games. The sentiment among many is that a series of bad decisions has plagued the team’s performance, and a change is needed to build a new future around rookie Cooper Flagg.
The frustration reached a fever pitch on Monday during the Mavericks’ 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Persistent “Fire Nico” chants from the crowd overshadowed a career-high 26-point performance from Flagg, making the hostile environment impossible for the players and coaching staff to ignore.
During the postgame conference, head coach Jason Kidd addressed the tense atmosphere. “I think you’ve got to ask them (the players). They’re playing. It’s noise, and so I would say that, speaking for them, I think just continue to keep playing…,” Kidd said.
Injuries have compounded the team’s struggles on the court. Dallas has struggled to close out games, particularly without the reliable presence of Kyrie Irving, who has been out since March with an ACL tear. With no timeline for the veteran’s return, the scoring burden has fallen on Anthony Davis (20.8 PPG) and P.J. Washington (15.5 PPG), with Flagg contributing a 15-point-per-game average. While fans are hopeful about the Duke graduate’s potential, the team clearly misses a stabilizing force like Irving.
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Washington also spoke about the chants after the game, emphasizing that the team needs to focus on what it can control. “Everybody has an opinion, so everybody’s entitled to that,” Washington explained. “I mean, it is what it is. At the end of the day, we just got to come out here and do our job — and that’s to be professional, play basketball and try to win each and every night. It is what it is at this point. Just got to keep moving forward.”
Against the Bucks, Washington contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. The Mavericks will look to silence the noise and get back on track in their next game on Wednesday, November 12, against the Phoenix Suns.
