Mavericks trading Doncic to L.A. should cost GM Harrison his job

By Sam Bailey

The sports world was stunned in the closing hours of Feb. 2, 2025. The Dallas Mavericks orchestrated a three-team, sending 25-year-old generational superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for perennial All-Star big man Anthony Davis. 

If you are a fan of the Dallas Mavericks, this trade could be its downfall. Now I want to know what Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was thinking. Oh, wait, he wasn’t. 

Dallas traded a primarily healthy and one of the best players in the game for a nearly 32-year-old walking injury. Harrison is on record for saying that defense wins games, but here is the issue: Dallas made it to the NBA Finals just last season. 

The Mavericks have played well since the stunning deal was announced, but Anthony Davis suffered a non-contact injury in his first game with the team, sidelining him for weeks. 

Dallas got a first-round pick out of it, so that’s nice, but it’s not until 2029. The outrage is felt everywhere, not just in Dallas. People of other fandoms have come out to voice frustration and disbelief. Even other NBA players have stated that this wasn’t a good idea. 

Dallas has always been known for keeping European star power. The loyalty built around Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki is well known and even noted with a legendary statue outside the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki helped power the Mavericks to an NBA Championship in 2011 over LeBron James and the Miami Heat. 

My biggest concerns surround the availability and ability of the Mavericks’ new 1-2 combo. Kyrie Irving is an amazing talent but is on the downside of his career. 

The latest move warrants a search for a new general manager with more awareness. Harrison gave away the best point guard in the NBA for table scraps. Davis may live up to his potential and help Dallas win games, but this trade will set them back multiple seasons in the talented Western Conference. 

Doncic is a future Hall of Famer and potential face of the league, and now, he’ll continue to flourish in Los Angeles. I wish Doncic the best in LA and hope Davis recovers quickly. If you’re a fan of the Mavericks, prepare for a long wait before another finals appearance. If you’re a Lakers fan, you have the next face of your franchise.