Draymond Green calls Nico Harrison's firing 'whack,' but decision still seems justified

On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks fired beleaguered general manager Nico Harrison. 

Despite helping the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals during the 2023-24 season, Harrison fell out of favor in Dallas after trading star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for forward Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick in February.  

The Mavericks have plummeted since dealing Doncic. Last season, they were eliminated in the play-in tournament. This season, they've started 3-8. Despite that, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green says firing the unpopular GM was "whack." 

Draymond Green defends Nico Harrison

On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, Green said the organization should've let things play out to see if Harrison's vision for life after Doncic would come to fruition.

He then noted many of the Mavericks' stars are injured. Guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March and isn't expected to return until at least January. Davis, meanwhile, hasn't played since Oct. 29 because of a calf issue.

"The team [Harrison] constructed to go win a championship hasn't been on the court," Green said. "I find it crazy that everyone is gonna act like Kyrie Irving is this easily replaceable guy. Do you see the Indiana Pacers without [guard] Tyrese Haliburton?"

The Pacers have started 1-9 without Haliburton, who tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. Unlike the Pacers, the Mavericks have a No. 1 pick in rookie forward Cooper Flagg. Still, it's too much to ask the rookie to carry the team. 

"Guess what teams that have the No. 1 pick look like the next year? Trash," Green said.

Some of Green's points are valid. The Mavericks would be a much better team if nine-time All-Star Irving were healthy, and 18-year-old Flagg needs more time to develop. However, that doesn't excuse Harrison for botching the Doncic trade.   

Why Nico Harrison still deserves blame

When he traded five-time All-Star Doncic, Harrison should've acquired a player of a similar caliber. Instead, he received injury-prone Davis.

Davis has played in 75 regular-season games or more just three times in his 14-year career. He played in just nine games for the Mavericks last season because of an adductor strain and eye issue. His lengthy injury history should've made Harrison reconsider the deal. 

Plus, he could've received a better deal had he not kept his interest in moving Doncic under wraps. In May, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the Chicago Bulls would've offered "anyone and everyone" had they known the 26-year-old superstar was available. Other teams may have shared that sentiment as well. 

Green can defend the GM all he wants, but he's one key reason the Mavericks find themselves in a mess after trading Doncic to the Lakers.