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Mavericks rumors: Is Nico Harrison’s job in danger as Luka Doncic nears Dallas return?

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Zachary Weinberger | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 12:57 PM ET

There is no doubt that Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has been ridiculed for the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers which involved the team receiving Anthony Davis. With the Mavericks newcomer in Davis experiencing issues with injuries among other aspects to this season, there are some that question if the job security of Harrison is in question.

In the latest column by Marc Stein, he discusses the topic of if Dallas owner Patrick Dumont would move on from Harrison, though he would say it remains an “unknown” despite the outcry.

“No question, post-trade, is posed more often in Mavericks circles and among Mavericks fans than that one,” Stein wrote. “Fire Nico has been a constant cry at Mavericks games and at sporting events (and even at a Medieval Times) all over Texas in the wake of the trade. A banner with that precise message is unmissable on the balcony of an apartment building adjacent to the arena on the corner of Victory and Nowitzki Way. It’s a chant you’re likely to hear a time or three Wednesday night when Dončić is back in the building for the first time since Christmas Day.”

“Whether Dumont would actually consider such a step, however, is an unknown,” Stein continued. “He’s conducted two interviews with The Morning News and one press conference during the NBA Finals in his 15-or-so months in charge and his business tendencies remain a bit of a mystery. Especially compared to his predecessor, since Cuban was as front-facing and hands-on as any owner in league history.”

Luka Doncic coming back to face Mavericks will be eye-opening

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

While some may believe that Doncic was stabbed in the back by the Mavericks, the noise of the story is destined to pick back up when the star returns on Wednesday. Still, Dumont in the past has displayed his trust in Harrison as Stein points out.

“What is known to this point: Dumont backed Harrison strongly in that lone post-trade interview he has given. In Nico we trust,” Stein wrote. “It seems a stretch, on some levels, to imagine Dumont signing off on the trade Harrison recommended and then dismissing him mere months later to appease an angry public reaction. Giving in to such calls isn’t going to bring Dončić back. Yet it’s also true that the noise and negativity have scarcely faded over the past two months and are bound to be whipped back to frenzy levels all over again once Dončić is back in the building in Lakers colors.”

“What will Dumont do? Several of Harrison’s moves with the Mavericks were initially questioned — like the Irving trade — but then worked out,” Stein continued. “As a result, Harrison awoke Feb. 1 with a sky-high approval rating among Mavericks fans.
Now it is routinely asked all over town whether Harrison can hang onto his job amid so much widespread external dismay with his decision.”

Dallas is 38-41 which puts them ninth in the West before facing Doncic and the Lakers.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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