Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison shocked the world when he traded away franchise star Luka Dončić. The Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers.
After Dallas missed the 2025 playoffs, Harrison promised it would compete for a championship in the 2025-26 campaign. Through 11 games this season, that promise looks to be in severe jeopardy.
Nico Harrison Expressed Confidence in His 2024-25 Exit Interview
Seven months ago, a reporter asked Harrison to argue why he should not be fired. His argument did not work, as the Mavericks fired him on the morning of Nov. 11.
In April Nico Harrison explained why he should not be fired, stating that he’d done “a really good job” and that the team would be “competing for a championship” this season
Seven months later and Harrison has been fired from Dallas after a 3-8 start
(via @dallasmavs) pic.twitter.com/sjkS7y79J3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 11, 2025
The general manager responded bluntly. “Well, one, I think I’ve done a really good job here, and I don’t think I can be judged by the injuries this year.”
Part of Harrison’s argument here was certainly correct. Kyrie Irving, unfortunately, tore his ACL in January, limiting him to 50 games. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II also only played 57 and 36 games, respectively. On top of trading away an All-NBA First Team player in Dončić, Davis hurt his calf in his Mavericks’ debut, only appearing in nine games last season.
Davis’ injury history was well documented before the transaction. He only reached the 60-game mark twice since the 2019-20 campaign. Harrison knew the risks associated with Davis, but he believed the 10-time All-Star’s Defensive Player of the Year-caliber defense could elevate the franchise. Instead, Davis has only played 14 games, including missing five of Dallas’ first 11 contests this season.
Harrison’s Promise Looks to be in Jeopardy
Following the injury arguments, Harrison focused on two key parts in his answer that did not come to fruition this season. “I think I have a really good relationship with Patrick [Dumont] … The leadership we have is really elite, and you’ll see next year when our team comes back, we’re going to be competing for a championship,” Harrison stressed.
Neither of these points has come true. Dumont, the Mavericks’ principal governor, met with Harrison to fire him. He reportedly spoke to a fan during Dallas’ home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, acknowledging the Dončić trade was a mistake.
Harrison’s vision for the Mavericks to compete for a title has not surfaced. They sit 14th in a tough Western Conference at a 3-8 record. The team averages 107.2 points per game, which ranks dead last in the NBA.
Head coach Jason Kidd has experimented with various starting lineups to find the optimal combination. He tried Cooper Flagg, D’Angelo Russell, and Brandon Williams as starting point guards, but none have worked out.
The Lakers and Dončić’s hot 8-3 start to this season only hurts Harrison’s case even more.