It’s hard to recall a trade in any sport that’s been as polarizing as the one that saw Dallas Mavericks megastar Luka Doncic moved to the Los Angeles Lakers for what appears to be pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, not all of the discourse on the matter has been pleasant.
According to ESPN Mavericks insider Tim MacMahon, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison – the architect behind the deal that sent Doncic and others to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and other compensation – has been receiving death threats in the aftermath of the trade. Per the report, the team is beefing up security because “lines have been crossed.”
“Nico Harrison has been subjected to death threats…security is going to be beefed up. There will be protests outside. Lines have been crossed,” MacMahon reported.
Tim MacMahon:
“Nico Harrison has been subjected to death threats…security is going to be beefed up. There will be protests outside. Lines have been crossed.” 😳
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 7, 2025
NBA fans don’t seem to be sympathetic or even necessarily buying that Harrison is being threatened.
“I knew the ‘feel sorry for me’ gimmick was gonna come. He wasn’t feeling scared at the presser in fact he was making jokes. Death threats are too much but what did the mf expect? a thank you note with a balloon? (expletive) you,” one user wrote.
“MacMahon is really part of the Mavs FO PR machine. Now they’re making stuff up to invoke pity. Unbelievable!” wrote another.
“There’s just no way that they didn’t foresee this coming when trading a 25 year old potential GOAT,” a third remarked.
“Nico Harrison was laughing at the Press Conference….laughing. He spread slanderous lies about Luka and now he’s lying about this fan base. They just want him fired!” a fourth declared.
“He altered his own way of living by making the dumbest decision in sports history, I have no sympathy,” one more said.
Hopefully nobody tries to make good on any of these reported death threats, but Mavericks fans are clearly angry. And anger can manifest in a number of ways.
One thing seems certain: Harrison is going to be bearing the brunt of fan anger for a long while… unless he brings a title or several to the Mavs.
Related: Nico Harrison Makes Two Shocking Admissions At Sunday Press Conference