Nico Harrison breaks silence on Doncic’s departure from Dallas: ‘There’s no regrets on the trade’

It’s been over two months since the NBA world was rocked by one of the most shocking trades in league history—Luka Doncic heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Now, Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has broken his silence, offering a candid assessment of the move during a press conference at the American Airlines Center alongside team CEO Rick Welts.

This marked Harrison’s first extended comments on the trade since a brief media session on February 2, one day after Doncic’s departure. Despite the polarizing reaction from fans, Harrison made it clear he has no regrets.

“There’s no regrets on the trade,” Harrison stated confidently. “Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks—not just today, but also in the future. Some decisions I make won’t be popular, and that’s part of my job. I stand by it”.

He further explained that the Mavericks’ front office prioritized their defensive philosophy when targeting Davis. “When you look at this trade, we targeted AD,” Harrison said. “With our philosophy that defense wins championships, we wanted a two-way player to lead our team, and that was Anthony Davis”.

General Manager Nico Harrison of the Dallas Mavericks looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Harrison addresses fan frustration and criticism of past trades

Harrison acknowledged the frustration among Dallas fans, many of whom were vocal in their disapproval of Doncic’s departure. However, he emphasized the importance of the fanbase’s passion. “Well, the beauty of Dallas is it’s a passionate fanbase. For us to reach our goals, we need that passion,” Harrison explained.

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The GM also reflected on how many of his trades have been met with skepticism, only to prove their worth over time. “Every trade I’ve made since I’ve been here hasn’t been regarded as a good trade at first,” Harrison admitted. “When I traded for Kyrie [Irving], it was met with skepticism and labeled a terrible trade. But over time, everyone agreed it was a great move”.

He pointed to other acquisitions, such as Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively, as further examples of trades that eventually paid off. “When I traded for Gaff and Lively, people said, ‘Oh, he gave up way too much.’ But these guys are helping us now, and that trade showed its value a lot sooner,” he added.

He reinforced his belief in the Mavericks’ defensive-first strategy, saying, “Our philosophy is that defense wins championships, and this trade cements us in that direction”.

Committed to Dallas despite challenges

Since Doncic’s exit, chants of “Fire Nico” have echoed in the American Airlines Center. Despite the backlash, Harrison remains steadfast in his commitment to the Mavericks and finishing out his contract.

“Yeah, I have three years left on my contract,” Harrison said. “I see myself finishing it out. In terms of Dallas, this is our home. My family is going to finish school here. This is where we live, so this is where I’m staying”.