Mavericks GM Nico Harrison Sets the Record Straight on Patrick Dumont's Role in Luka Doncic Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 4:09 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks' February trade of Luka Doncic quickly became one of the most controversial in NBA history.

The Mavericks dealt one of the NBA's most recognizable faces and players in the prime of his career less than a full season removed from his team's journey into the NBA Finals to take on the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

On Monday, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison addressed rumors involving owner Patrick Dumont's involvement in the trade, sharing an emphatic statement with a journalist that made the early week's rounds on X.

Harrison told reporter Mike Curtis that he was not told by Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont that he had to trade Doncic.

"Not at all," Harrison said according to Curtis.

"Patrick reminds me of the leadership that I had at Nike and a really good leader doesn't tell the people that work for him what to do.

"It's a collective, well thought out process to make a big move like that. Also, unfortunately, I'm super stubborn so someone telling me to do something doesn't work out too well for me."

The Mavs beat the Kings in the NBA's first Play-In game before falling to the Grizzlies, eliminating them from the playoffs while the Grizzlies advanced to face the Thunder.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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