Lakers' Luka Doncic discusses potential reunion with Mavs after firing of Nico Harrison

On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison, the orchestrator of the catastrophic trade that sent guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.

Does that move open the door to a reunion with five-time All-Star Doncic, who played for the Mavericks for seven seasons? Don't count on it. The third pick of the 2018 NBA Draft still loves Dallas but is committed to L.A. for the foreseeable future. 

Luka Doncic reacts to firing of Nico Harrison

"The city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they'll always have a special place in my heart," Doncic said Wednesday night following a 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn't. So that will always be a special place for me. I will always call it home. But right now, I'm focused on the Lakers and trying to move on. But obviously, there will always be a part of me there.

"But just trying to move on and focus on what I'm doing here."

When asked whether he would consider returning to Dallas now that Harrison is gone, Doncic said, "Right now I'm just focused on the Lakers. No further comments." 

In August, Doncic signed a three-year, $165M extension with the Lakers, which includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. He could still change his mind at some point, but for now, he appears focused on the Lakers and has moved past the trade. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd wishes he could say the same for many enraged Dallas fans, who were chanting "Fire Nico" during home games at American Airlines Center. 

"It was a little disrespectful," Kidd said Wednesday before a 123-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "The guys are playing hard, and they're trying to win. With that chant going on during free throws, it's very disrespectful. 

"They got their point across as fans, but we have to move forward. I understand the healing process for fans, but these guys are playing hard. Ever since the trade, these guys have given everything."

Despite Dallas' best efforts, it has spiraled since the Doncic trade. During this span, the Mavericks have compiled a 16-29 record. This season, they've started 3-9. 

To make matters worse for the Mavericks, forward Anthony Davis — whom the Lakers exchanged for Doncic — has played in just 14 games for Dallas because of adductor, calf and Achilles injuries. 

Surely, that's frustrating for Dallas fans, but they must accept that Doncic doesn't seem interested in coming back and saving the team. And now they must hope the franchise can successfully rebuild around forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft.