Mavs Fire GM Nico Harrison: Here's How It All Went Down
- Simar Gill
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Nico Harrison arrived in Dallas as a bold, unconventional hire as the new general manager of the Mavericks. He was a former Nike executive who became an NBA decision-maker that the organization thought they needed. And for a moment, he delivered: the Mavs had a Finals appearance in 2024, revamped its roster, and embraced a new identity under his leadership. However, not even two years later his decisions have left the franchise in disarray. Devastating trades, frustrated fans, and a disastrous start to the 2025-2026 season culminated in Harrison's firing. Let's dig into who Nico Harrison is and what decisions led the Mavericks to fire him.
Harrison's Background
Nico Harrison has a college basketball background, first playing with the Army and then at Montana State. He also played professionally overseas in other leagues before switching to the corporate world. He spent 19 years at Nike and eventually became the Vice President of North American Basketball Operations. In June of 2021, he decided to join the Dallas Mavericks as the General Manager and President of Basketball Operations. Under his leadership, the Mavs reached the Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals.
Why He Got Fired
His dismissal this month was driven by a mix of on-court results, controversial decisions, fan backlash, and more.
The Luka Doncic Trade
One of the most consequential moves by Harrison came in February of 2025 when he orchestrated a blockbuster trade that sent beloved star, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. This trade drew massive criticism and many fans and analysts viewed it as a betrayal. Doncic was seen as the face of the franchise and moving him after a Finals run shocked all. Harrison defended the trade by questioning Doncic's conditioning, but that reasoning didn't resonate with the fanbase. Analysts were also critical about the return the Mavs received in exchange for Luka and the fact that Harrison did not consider negotiating with other teams. This insinuated that he wanted to just get rid of Luka easily rather than search for the best return offer available.
Poor Start to the 2025-26 Season
The Mavericks were sitting at a 3-8 record at the time of Harrison's firing, a disastrous start to the season that put additional pressure on the GM. In fact, this was cited by Owner Patrick Dumont when Harrison's departure was announced.
Financial Mismanagement
According to Mark Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, another issue with Harrison was his handling of the salary cap. Cuban claimed that Harrison restricted the Mav's financial flexibility. The cost of Anthony Davis's contract was a major burden and this led to questions about long-term payroll health. This also led to organizational tension that created friction due to bad decision making.
Going Forward
The Mavericks appointed Michael Finely and Matt Riccardi as co-interim GMs, but ownership said it is undergoing a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement. We will have to wait and see whether the organization will re-evaluate its strategy: rebuild around young talent like their No. 1 Draft Pick, Cooper Flagg, or re-commit to a more veteran-led push for contention.
In the end, Nico Harrison's time in Dallas serves as a cautionary tale about ambition, risk, and the thin line between leadership and organizational turmoil. His bold moves at the beginning of his tenure reshaped the Mavericks' identity, but the fallout from the Luka Doncic trade, mounting financial strain, and a collapsing relationship with the fanbase ultimately overshadowed his early successes. As the franchise moves forward under new leadership, Harrison's rise and fall will linger as a pivotal chapter begins. No matter what, the Mavs need to act fast since their record has dropped to 4-11 since Harrison's departure.
Edited by: Isabella Messerli
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