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Nico Harrison continues to worsen public image
It's as if Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is intent on worsening his public image. Since trading Luka Doncic in February, Harrison has tried to justify the controversial move with comments that many felt only heightened the Dallas fan base's contempt toward him.
Rather than going away quietly, Harrison continues to make the situation worse. On Monday, he made ignorant remarks about not being aware of the Mavericks fan base's adulation for Doncic.
"I did know that Luka was important to the fan base. I didn't quite know it to what level," he said.
The comments portrayed Harrison as someone not in touch with his team's fan base. Doncic had become a beloved figure in Dallas over his past few years, to the point where players from the Cowboys, Wings and Rangers were routinely present at Mavericks games. Even Dallas native Patrick Mahomes had grown into the biggest supporter of Doncic and rarely ever missed a game.
To suggest he was unaware of the city's love for Doncic was either ignorant or disingenuous on Harrison's part. TNT's Charles Barkley believes it's time for Harrison to stop addressing the media.
"Don't do no more press conferences," Barkley advised Harrison on Monday. "I don't even know what you're doing — I really don't. I got sympathy and love for you, but I have zero idea what you're trying to do. This war is over, brother. You've taken the L. Hope you keep your job, and the team gets healthy, but don't do any more interviews."
Shaquille O'Neal was even harsher with his assessment of Harrison.
"His problem is he wants to be liked, when he should just be focused on doing his job," O'Neal said of Harrison. "... Of course, he knew the importance of Luka [to Dallas] but he wanted to be nice and give the corporate answer. My advice is just do your job and go with the flow."
Many believe Harrison's decision to trade Doncic for Anthony Davis can't be accurately judged until next season, when a presumably healthy Mavericks team takes the floor. This season, their plans were jolted when Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
On the flipside, the Lakers would firmly win the trade if Doncic can guide them to an NBA championship this year.
Chuck has a message for Nico Harrison: pic.twitter.com/jBPZvxSGuq
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2025
Shaq & Chuck react to Nico Harrison's presser from today: https://t.co/Sza9Vji1AZ pic.twitter.com/aqyOD8CGkG
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2025
More must-reads:
- Mavericks GM Nico Harrison answers why he should not be fired
- Report: Nico Harrison Fired Casey Smith While Smith Was Visiting His Dying Mother
- The 'Most points in one NBA postseason' quiz
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Report: Celtics struggling to trade away 1 player
The Boston Celtics have already made two big trades this offseason, but they are apparently getting stiff-armed in their quest for a trifecta. Boston is struggling to find a trade partner for guard Anfernee Simons, Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com reported on Wednesday. Afseth notes that the Celtics continue to be focused on shedding salary this offseason. Simons, the 26-year-old former Dunk Contest champion, was just acquired by Boston last month as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics then managed to create some more financial flexibility by trading away Kristaps Porzingis shortly thereafter. With multiple 20-ppg seasons already under his belt, Simons has obvious value as a scorer. But he lacks efficiency and defensive chops and also has a bloated salary for next season at $27.7 million. Though the Celtics managed to get under the second apron of the luxury tax by trading away both Holiday and Porzingis, 2025-26 will effectively be a punt year for them due to star player Jayson Tatum, who will likely miss the entire season as he recovers from an Achilles rupture. With Tatum owed $54.1 million next season, Jaylen Brown owed $53.1 million, and Derrick White owed $28.1 million, it doesn’t make much sense for Boston to have their cap tied up beyond that if they are not going to be competing for a championship. On the bright side for the Celtics, Simons is on an expiring contract next year, which could be especially appealing to rival teams come the February trade deadline. But at least for now, it looks like Boston may have to prepare to open up the new season with Simons still on their roster.
Troubling news emerges on Bears QB Caleb Williams’ workout with HC Ben Johnson
It might have been a good thing the Chicago Bears didn’t play Caleb Williams on Sunday. The Bears might need to hide their second-year quarterback as he irons out his wrinkles in the pre-snap process and with accuracy issues. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft struggled with timing and accuracy during the Bears’ joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Friday. Caleb Williams was inaccurate in the red zone against no defenders On Sunday, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson chose not to play second-year quarterback Caleb Williams against the Dolphins in their first preseason game. Instead, Johnson led a workout with Williams and wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore before the game. Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears ran a total of 87 plays during the workout. All of the plays were routes in the air with no defenders on the field for the scripted practice. Despite going against no defenders bringing pressure or guarding his receivers, Williams struggled to hit his targets in the red zone. "Williams would stand next to Johnson, who would give him the play," Biggs wrote. "Then, the quarterback simulated a huddle with the player (only one ran a route on each snap) and gave the play call. They’d break the huddle, go to the line of scrimmage, Williams would simulate pre-snap actions and then the play would be run… "Before ending the session with eight deep balls, there was a 25-play set of snaps in the red zone. One thing Williams struggled to connect on was out routes to Moore and Odunze near the goal line. Those throws were not close and Williams consistently led the receivers too much." A closed-door problem for the Chicago Bears The throws weren’t close during routes on air… in the red zone? Williams wasn’t ready to take the field for the preseason game. For all of the flak he’s been getting from practice reports, the quarterback would have been relentlessly mocked for having these issues shown during an NFL Network broadcast. Biggs’ report is troubling, with a month to go before the season. Williams has much to improve upon, and the Bears are very much trying to do so without cameras present for a reason.
Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he is now in a terrible position heading into 2025 as well. Dickey has been suspended indefinitely by Oregon, head coach Dan Lanning announced on Tuesday. Lanning also suggested that Dickey may not play for the Ducks again. "We have two team rules; that’s respectful, be on time,” Lanning said, via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “There’s some pieces of that where I felt like he needed a break from us and we needed a break from that so we could focus on what’s in front of us right now. "Wishing him nothing but the best, as far as success and want to see him get back to where he can be a contributor somewhere; that might be here that might be somewhere else.” Dickey was a five-star recruit and rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country when he came out of Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, in 2023. He suffered an injury in his senior year in high school and redshirted as a freshman at Oregon. Dickey has two catches for 14 years during his time with the Ducks. Oregon went 13-1 in Lanning's third season with the program last season. The Ducks lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Delivers Stunning Praise For Common Weak Link On The Offensive Side Of The Ball
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of new pieces to get integrated ahead of the 2025 NFL season. This is true for both sides of the ball, but the biggest X-factor for the team is a group that was in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season, and that is the offensive line. The unit is young outside of left guard Isaac Seumalo, as every other player is in their third-year or younger. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick seem fairly reliable on the interior, while the tackle spots are going to be something fans keep a close eye on to begin the regular season. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu are being relied upon to take care of business at the two tackle spots. Each player was selected in the first round of their respective drafts by the organization, with the franchise even trading up to grab Jones. Jones spent most of the last two seasons at right tackle, but he will be starting on the left side of the offensive line in 2025, which happens to be his natural position. Fautanu missed most of his rookie year in 2024, so he is looking to come into the season healthy, while being able to make a positive impact. Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke about his tackle situation after practice on Tuesday, and he sounded impressed with the growth he has seen from the two players throughout training camp. "I think they’ve gotten better every day," Tomlin said. "Broderick got slowed by a little day-to-day groin injury there for a spell, but has really been on the uptick since his return. Same with Troy. I like the trajectory of the group. But even though we’re leaving Saint Vincent College, man, we still are very much in development. We’ve got a lot of time in front of us between now and the opener." Fans have been excited to see Fautanu on the field, but a large portion of the fan base has been worried about whether or not Jones would be good enough to start at left tackle. The initial reports out of training camp were a bit concerning, but it seems as though the young player has improved as he has gotten more comfortable returning to the left side. Jones had a rough season in 2024 as he struggled with penalties and giving up sacks. It is important to note that both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields had instances where they held onto the ball for far too long and ran into sacks, but some of that still falls on Jones. Jones and Fautanu were going against two pretty good pass rushers during Pittsburgh's first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have each been two elite pass rushers in the their careers, and neither tackle allowed a pressure from either player. This is a good sign in Pittsburgh, as protecting Aaron Rodgers is going to be a top priority. Steelers' Tackles Have Been Battle-Tested Throughout Training Camp Both Jones and Fautanu have to go against some of the best in the world every day of practice. TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig is as good of a trio at outside linebacker that anyone will find in the NFL, and they get to test the two young tackles every day. In addition to that, Pittsburgh has also upgraded the secondary. This likely makes Rodgers have to hang on to the football for a little bit longer, which tests the offensive line even more.
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