Dallas Mavericks Fire GM Nico Harrison Amid Fan Backlash

Posted : 11 November 2025

The Dallas Mavericks announced on Tuesday that general manager Nico Harrison has been relieved of his duties. The decision came after a morning meeting between Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont, according to sources cited by ESPN.

“This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization—one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans,” Dumont said in a statement.

Assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been promoted to oversee the Mavericks’ basketball operations on an interim basis.

Harrison had faced growing criticism from fans following the shocking February 2 trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The move provoked protests outside the American Airlines Center and sparked frequent "Fire Nico!" chants at Mavericks home games.

Dumont addressed the decision in a letter to fans, citing the team’s disappointing start to the season. He emphasized that the remainder of the season still offered opportunities for improvement, but the decision was necessary to move the franchise forward.

The Mavericks have struggled this season, losing a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game to fall to a 3-8 record, second to last in the Western Conference. The team’s challenges have been compounded by injuries, including Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL and Anthony Davis’ recurring abdominal and calf issues.

Harrison, whose four-plus-year tenure included a 182-157 record and trips to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and 2024 NBA Finals, initially defended the Doncic trade as a long-term strategy to contend for championships. He argued that focusing on defense and building around Davis would create a three- to four-year window for success. However, injuries and the team’s inconsistent performance undermined that vision.

Despite Harrison’s rationale, Davis struggled with injuries following the trade, limiting him to just 14 regular-season games, while Irving’s ACL tear ended his season. The Mavericks ultimately fell out of playoff contention, exiting via the Western Conference play-in tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The combination of a poor start to the 2025-26 season, injuries to key players, and sustained fan unrest ultimately led to Harrison’s dismissal, leaving the Mavericks to rebuild under interim leadership.

Dallas Mavericks Fire GM Nico Harrison Amid Fan Backlash

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