
USA Today via Reuters
Image Credits: USA Today Network Via Imagn Images

USA Today via Reuters
Image Credits: USA Today Network Via Imagn Images
When Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, the entire hoop community was left scratching their heads. Why would you let go of a generational superstar who just led you to the NBA Finals, that too, for an aging injury-prone one? Well, reports suggest that the Mavs GM believed AD gave them a better chance of winning the Championship and was also a better culture fit than Luka. But the fuming Dallas fans are not buying it and suspect a personal beef. Especially after the latest visual of Luka and Nico’s reunion emerged on social media.
Yes, the night everyone has eagerly been waiting for is finally here. Luka going head-to-head against his former team for the first time since the trade. Sure enough, the tensions were high early as the latest visuals from Crypto.com Arena showed a suited-up Nico Harrison standing at the announcers’ desk with a distasteful look on his face as he stared at Luka going through his pregame warmup.
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Mavericks GM Nico Harrison watches Lakers’ Luka Doncic warm up in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/Z1gfGnzmnP
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 26, 2025
As expected, Nico has been under constant fire ever since his shocking decision. From “Fire Nico” chants echoing in Dallas and angry fans protesting against him to even receiving death threats, the GM is, unfortunately, facing the brunt of the criticism.
Sure, he has tried his best to justify the trade and keep an optimistic approach, as he said in a recent interview, “I’m sorry they’re frustrated, but it’s something that we believe in as an organization. It’s going to make us better. We believe that it sets us up to win, not only now, but also in the future. And when we win, I believe the frustration will go away.”
But despite Harrison’s desperate efforts, fans continue to blame him for sending Doncic away from Dallas. And many even believe he might be regretting his decision.
What’s your perspective on:
Is trading Luka for AD the biggest blunder in Mavs history, or a genius move?
Have an interesting take?
Nico Harrison accused of “Hating” Luka Doncic as NBA World predicts Revenge Game in LA
Soon after the clip of Nico staring at Luka went viral, fans began speculating his emotions about the trade, as comments like “Looks like he hates him! Like it’s super personal,” began flooding in. Yes, many suspect that the GM was so adamant about trading Luka because he had a personal vendetta against him and did not want him as the franchise’s long-term leader.
Looks like he hates him! Like it’s super personal
— Ryan Ghaffari (@ryangsellslv) February 26, 2025
Meanwhile, many saw a look of regret on Nico’s face and compared it to a broken relationship, as they wrote, “like watching the 10/10 ex you fumbled” and “The x you broke up with, suddenly is attractive again.” One netizen even claimed that Harrison was finally “realizing the gravity of his mistake” at that moment.
While Luka was initially facing some struggles in his new team, he finally showed his true form against the Nuggets as he dropped a 32-point double-double. Meanwhile, his replacement in Dallas, Anthony Davis, continues to miss games due to an adductor injury. So, there is a chance Nico regrets his decision.
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Realizing the gravity of his mistake
— Coultin (@coultin) February 26, 2025
Many enraged Dallas fans even called out Nico for wearing a blue suit to the game and wrote, “Take that blue suit off u don’t represent.”—obviously, blue being the Mavs color and fans don’t want the GM to represent them.
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Amid all the drama, Luka looked happy doing his warmup, and some fans saw it as a warning sign for the Mavs. “30 by halftime,” one wrote, predicting that Luka is out for revenge tonight and will beat down his former team for the betrayal.
Do you think so, too? Will we see the ultimate ‘LukaMagic’ tonight? How many points do you think Doncic will score tonight with Nico Harrison watching? Let us know in the comments.
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Debate
Is trading Luka for AD the biggest blunder in Mavs history, or a genius move?