Tension in the air? Lakers Rob Pelinka and Mavericks’ Nico Harrison cross paths after blockbuster trade

Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison crossed paths this Sunday, a day that was anything but ordinary for the Golden State Warriors and former NBA player Andre Iguodala. Following a dominant 126-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the franchise honored Iguodala in unforgettable fashion, retiring his iconic No. 9 jersey and raising his name to the rafters of the Chase Center.
As expected, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was in attendance to watch his team in action. However, what truly caught everyone’s attention wasn’t his presence—but that of another executive who, in theory, had no reason to be there.

An unexpected encounter: Glances, smiles, and tension in the air

None other than Rob Pelinka, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, made an appearance. Coincidence? Hard to believe. Pelinka, who had just orchestrated one of the most shocking trades in NBA history—sending Anthony Davis away in exchange for Luka Doncic in a multi-team blockbuster deal with the Mavericks—found himself in the same venue as his counterpart, just days after one of the most controversial moves in recent memory.
Rob Pelinka, who previously represented Iguodala as an agent before taking over the Lakers’ front office, attended the jersey retirement ceremony. Just before it began, he and Harrison exchanged a few brief but seemingly intense words.

Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison greet one another before Andre Iguodala’s retirement ceremony. pic.twitter.com/mS4qa7AEOH

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) February 23, 2025

Social media reacts to the Rob Pelinka-Nico Harrison meeting

The encounter did not go unnoticed. A video of the moment, captured by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, quickly spread across social media, sparking a wave of reactions from fans.
“Nico’s smile vanished in an instant 😂 the moment he saw Rob,” one fan commented.
“You can see it in his face… Harrison is still in shock after getting fleeced in the Luka trade 😭😂,” another joked.
“I still can’t believe you actually agreed to that deal,” a user imagined the conversation.
“Pelinka asking if Kyrie is available for a trade this summer 😭😭,” another quipped.
“It’s clear who the alpha is in this relationship. Embarrassing for a guy with a Mamba mentality,” a fan remarked.