Mavs GM Nico Harrison On Luka Doncic Trade Fallout: ‘Didn’t Quite Know To What Level’ He Meant To Fans

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison addressed the media in a televised press conference Monday, offering his most candid remarks yet on the fallout from trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I did know Luka was important to the Mavs’ fanbase,” Harrison told reporters. “I didn’t quite know to what level.”

Harrison, under fire from fans and analysts alike, said the decision to move Doncic was made with the belief that a healthy core of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington would be enough to quiet the criticism and push for a title.

“We felt that’s a championship-caliber team,” Harrison said. “And we would have been winning at a high level. That would have quieted some of the outrage. So unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, so it just went on and on.”

Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention last Friday by the Memphis Grizzlies, ending a rocky season that never fully saw the revamped lineup come together, mostly due to injuries.

Harrison suggested he remains confident in the Mavs’ direction, doubling down on his vision that “defense wins championships” and that the current roster can bounce back next season.

“I believe winning will help repair the relationship with the fans,” Harrison said. “That’s what we plan to do next year.”

Dallas finished 39-43 and in 10th place in the Western Conference standings.

More Mavericks:

• Report: Mavs owner angry Harrison didn’t warn him about fans’ anger
• Report: Harrison ‘griped’ that Doncic was holding team ‘hostage’