The firing of Nico Harrison as Dallas Mavericks general manager continues to make waves. After the controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, both the team and the media reacted swiftly. The Mavericks started the season with a disappointing 3-8 record, while the Lakers shine at 8-3, and LeBron James hasn’t even played yet. On the matter, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins was blunt and direct.
During the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins said, “This trade was all Nico. All of it was Nico.” According to him, the decision did not come from ownership or the front office. “The new ownership group had full confidence in him to make decisions,” he explained.
A move that changed Dallas history
According to The Sports Rush, that confidence came from previous moves, including the controversial signing of Kyrie Irving, which had produced mixed but promising results. However, Perkins argued that trading an international superstar like Doncic was a gamble that could not be justified if it failed. “When you trade an international superstar, do you have room for error? You have none,” he stated.
His co-host, Richard Jefferson, took a more balanced view. He argued that, given all the injuries and roster adjustments, Harrison deserved more time. “If Kyrie gets healthy, AD gets in shape, and Cooper Flagg shows his talent, the outlook could change,” Jefferson said.
Still, the facts are clear. Fans never forgave the trade. Harrison lost internal support and became the target of constant criticism. Team president Patrick Dumont tried to distance himself from the fallout by firing Harrison and promising a “fresh start.”
The question now is whether the firing will solve anything in the short term. With a Western Conference more competitive than ever, the Mavericks face an uphill battle. If Cooper Flagg meets expectations, the team’s future might still be bright — just without Harrison there to see it.
