Mavs GM Hated By Dallas Fans Says He Has 'No Regrets' Over Luka Doncic Trade

Nico Harrison is public enemy No. 1 in Dallas after shipping Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ star of the future, to the Lakers in a trade many call a historic FLEECE.

Los Angeles fans are over the moon, but Harrison is doubling down, saying he has no regrets, even if it’s one of the worst deals in the NBA, ever.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Nico Harrison attends a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on February 25, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

The complaints have hit Harrison’s ears loud and clear, yet the general manager’s sticking to his guns even if they’re misfiring.

Ahead of the play-in tournament, Harrison faced the media, ready to defend his vision.

"There are no regrets on the trade," Harrison told the media.

"Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future, and some of the decisions I'm going to make are going to be unpopular. That's my job, and I have to stand by it."

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10:  Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on February 10, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

"The beauty of Dallas is it is a passionate fan base," Harrison added, a nod to the fans chanting "Fire Nico" at Mavs home games and staging mock funerals outside American Airlines Center post-trade.

In return for Doncic, the Mavericks got an oft-injured Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a few other pieces to sweeten a still-lopsided deal.

READ: Mavs GM Hit With 'Fire Nico' Chant Right In His Face

The GM is not fazed.

"Every trade I've made since I've been here has not been regarded as a good trade," he added, "and so sometimes it takes time.

"When I traded for Kyrie, it was met with a lot of skepticism and it was graded as a terrible trade and you didn't see it right away, but eventually everyone agreed that that was a great trade. So I think a lot of times trades take a little bit of time."

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Dallas Mavericks fans hold up a sign referring to Mavs general manager Nico Harrison during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on February 10, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Months after Luka led the Mavs to the NBA Finals, Harrison’s preaching a new gospel: championships are won through defense.

It’s a mantra touted for long in the NBA and across sports … it doesn’t quite erase the mistake of trading Luka, a generational talent.

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 08: Dallas Mavericks fans lift a cutout of general manager Nico Harrison with a clown nose during a protest of the trade of Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic outside the American Airlines Center before the start of a NBA game between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in Dallas, TX. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Harrison noted, "But our philosophy, like I said, going forward is defense wins championships and we're built on defense. And this trade cements us for that."

Redemption’s still on the table for Harrison and the Mavericks, who limp into the postseason as the West’s 10th seed, a play-in team with a shot to silence the doubters by riding a miracle back to the Finals.

READ: Frustrated Mavericks Fan Booted Over 'Fire Nico Harrison' Chants, Luka Doncic Trade Rage Continues

Luka’s Lakers, now the third seed, loom large — especially after torching Dallas 112-97 in their recent face-off.

The Mavericks face the Kings in the play-in tournament Wednesday, a make-or-break moment to keep their season alive. Harrison knows this postseason may be his last shot to prove the Doncic trade wasn’t a career-ending mistake.

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