Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards' Poor Game 4 Draws Savage Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

'You Taking The L': Charles Barkley Makes Plea To Nico Harrison To Stop Doing Press Conferences Defending Luka Doncic Trade

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 12:55 PM ET

Charles Barkley has had enough of the Dallas Mavericks’ front office circus.

After GM Nico Harrison held a postseason press conference trying to explain away the Luka Dončić trade, Barkley took to Inside the NBA with a message that was part roast, part intervention.

In the presser, Harrison made the bold—and frankly bizarre—claim that he didn’t realize just how important Dončić was to Mavs fans. He then tried to spin the blockbuster swap, saying that Anthony Davis, when combined with Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, was a comparable package to Luka.

That didn’t sit well with Barkley, who didn’t mince words.

“Nico Harrison, I consider you a friend,” Barkley said. “But man, stop doing press conferences. I don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve got sympathy and love for you, but I have zero idea what your plan is. This war is over, brother. You’re taking the L. Don’t do any more interviews.”

Charles Barkley to Nico Harrison:

“Don’t do any more press conferences… I don’t even know what you’re doing… This war is over, brother. You taking the L”

pic.twitter.com/UJtIixW4ZG

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 21, 2025

It was vintage Chuck—funny, sharp, but ultimately grounded in truth.

Charles Barkley’s trigger point hit hard by Nico Harrison

Charles Barkley’s frustration isn’t just about one press conference, though. It’s about the decision itself, which now looks worse with each passing day. Dončić was meant to be the franchise player for the next decade. He’d already taken Dallas to the Finals and connected with fans in a way few athletes do.

Jul 28, 2022; Bedminster, NJ, USA; Former NBA player Charles Barkley during the LIV Invitational Pro-Am at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Instead, the Mavericks bet the house on an aging, injury-prone Davis, whose inconsistency is well documented. Add in Kyrie’s health issues and Klay’s decline, and the so-called “big three” has barely made it out of the play-in round—if at all.

The moment that really broke the internet, though, wasn’t from the press conference. It came earlier, on the court.

Jan 21, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns former player Charles Barkley in attendance at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the Mavs’ season on the line against the Memphis Grizzlies, Anthony Davis bricked a wide-open three… then limped off the floor holding his leg. It was a gut punch to Mavs fans, and to anyone still holding out hope that the trade could somehow be salvaged.

And as Davis hobbled off, cameras found Nico Harrison.

the cameraman is WILD for immediately cutting to nico after AD hobbled to the bench pic.twitter.com/kCYmyDW43y

— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 19, 2025