The regular season wrapped, and the play-in teams too, have moved in and out. The Game 1s are over, and even in some months, someone with take the Championship home. But amidst all, there’s one topic that won’t die. Yes, ever wonder how historic the Luka Doncic trade is? Well, it’s still the hottest topic in the NBA 2.5 months later and will continue to be one for some time. But to be honest, the recent traction is more due to Nico Harrison finally coming out of the rock he was living under the past two months, and speaking on it firsthand. While the first one was a private meeting, his end-of-the-season presser was loaded with questions regarding the trade.

First things first- how did Patrick Dumont feel? I mean, it’s his money at stake. Nico’s just the shot-caller. Trading his marquee star away would’ve seemed like a joke at first. And according to Nico’s admission, that’s exactly what it was. “It wasn’t really a laugh. It was more of a chuckle. But really, was just I’d set it out of the blue. And then as we started talking more, I gave him reasoning behind it.”

No one can see Nico Harrison’s vision at the moment. From a Mavs perspective, it’s just a hit-and-hope strategy. But he does claim that Patrick Dumont was fully behind the idea once he provided clarity on the topic. “We’re a very process-oriented organization. And everything we do is without emotion and goes through the lens of process. And so once we had those substantive discussions, then he saw the vision.”

Luka’s reaction to his tribute video on his return to the American Airlines Center was the writing on the wall. Seeing him cry made everyone cry, Mavs fan or not. For a bit, their GM didn’t even realise the gravity of his presence in the Texan city. But despite all the negative air surrounding Dallas right now, Nico was the first to double down on a positive future. Especially on his relation with Dumont after the trade.

“Yeah, it actually strengthened it because we talk a lot more and we’re kind of linked together to this. And so it’s made us have to have a lot more conversation. So I believe that we have a really good working relationship. He came out publicly and supported me. So I don’t take that lightly and so now I have to deliver on that.”

Regardless, all Dallas residents are out for blood right now. They want Nico’s head on a stick. But you have to wonder- what’s really going on in the mind of Nico Harrison right now?

“I’m good… God’s got me covered” says Nico Harrison on his mental state

It’s hard to forget that Nico’s human too. While all the backlash holds an ounce of water, it’s important to remember that it’s bound to make a massive dent in his mind. If there really is to be a positive future for the Mavericks, they need to forget the past and accept the present without Luka. His reception at the American Airlines Center did effect him a little bit. “When you have 20,000 people in this stadium chanting ‘Fire Nico’, you really feel it. mean, I use the word awesome, but not in a positive way. Like you can really feel how they feel. So yes, I feel them.”

But despite all this, he’s still doing perfectly fine. “How am I doing? I’m good. You know, I said this last week, God’s got me covered. have amazing family and amazing support group to get through it. But no, I absolutely feel it. But I’m also, you know, my job is to make decisions that I feel are in the best interest of this organization. And I got to stand by the decision and some of were going to be unpopular and this was clearly one that’s unpopular.”

What won’t sit well with their fans is the harrowing season they’ve had. Nico still thinks he shouldn’t be fired, and that he’s done a good job as the org’s shot caller. But can you really blame the fans after crashing in the play-ins 120-106 to the Grizzlies? You can’t. And you can just feel the next season being do-or-die for his public image.

But the situation is what it is. No matter how much the fans cry, Luka Doncic is a Laker now. Their core trio of Kyrie Irving-Anthony Davis-Klay Thompson will have to use their veteran experience to deliver the title that’s 15 years in the waiting. So what’s ideal for the organization is for the fans to get behind Nico Harrison, just like Patrick Dumont has. Trust the process.