Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison might be public enemy No. 1 in the Metroplex at the moment.
It was Harrison who was behind the Mavericks’ controversial, and some would say inexplicable, decision to trade 25-year-old superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in an overnight three-team blockbuster. The Mavericks did get 31-year-old perennial All-Star Anthony Davis back from LA, but still, the move doesn’t make much sense and has fans irate.
“I understand why they would be shocked, initially,” Harrison told The Dallas Morning News. “But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.”
Harrison is probably underselling things a bit by calling this a tough decision. Anyway, he’ll have the chance to further explain himself at a press conference momentarily.
“#Mavs GM Nico Harrison will hold a press conference during Jason Kidd’s pregame media availability at 2 p.m. ET,” tweeted Mavs beat writer Mike Curtis.
Harrison gave a preliminary explanation of his decision to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon late last night.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told MacMahon. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
That remains to be seen. What is certain right now is that the Dallas fanbase is stunned and very unhappy, and it will take a lot of winning to overcome those feelings.
Currently, the Mavericks are in Cleveland, where they will face the Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Harrison is probably fortunate that the team won’t return home to play in front of an angry crowd until Saturday afternoon when they host the Houston Rockets in a Lone Star State showdown.
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