The Dallas Mavericks made headlines across the sports world by firing general manager Nico Harrison and admitting that trading Luka Doncic was a mistake. Harrison became the most hated man in Dallas sports for going out of his way to move a franchise player in his prime.
Fans worried about Harrison joining their team next can rest easy knowing it is unlikely. NBA insider Chris Haynes shared that Harrison is not looking to do anything basketball-related in the foreseeable future.
“He’s in good spirits, man. He’s going to take some time to be with himself and his family and just get away from everything,” Haynes said in an NBA TV interview. “It’s been a tough situation.”
Harrison dealt with fan resentment more than any other executive in NBA history. Scenarios like the Chicago Bulls not bringing back head coach Phil Jackson in the 1990s or various angry superstars demanding trades have led to negative reactions toward general managers. However, no one has dealt with chants about firing them every night and a grudge growing deeper from the fan base to this extent.
Mavs Ownership Blamed Nico Harrison
Even the manner in which Harrison was fired adds to the unique nature of this situation. Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont flat-out said no one in the organization is happy about the current state of the team. Fans expressing displeasure at home games kept building tension to force a move or risk the situation worsening.
Harrison was fired just one day after rumors surfaced that a change was realistic. The bold move of trading Doncic for Anthony Davis and Max Christie has backfired. Davis’ injury issues have made the team a nightmare to watch. Losing games and a poor product to watch both alienated the fan base.
Rookie Cooper Flagg getting selected by Dallas against all odds in a dream NBA Draft lottery scenario felt like a major relief for the franchise and for Harrison. Unfortunately, the bad season and the team’s intent to compete with a veteran roster have hurt his early development. Flagg must have more freedom on the court and full fan support, which now seems more likely with Harrison gone.
Why Nico Harrison Should Avoid Basketball
The news of Harrison looking to prioritize spending time with his family over another basketball job is for the best. Most general managers deal with the pressure of a fast-paced job with constant changes, but Harrison has felt stress unlike any other since the Doncic trade made him public enemy number one.
No one can confirm whether Harrison will even get offered another job in the NBA after his reputation took such a hit. However, there would be instant pressure on him and a forced rivalry against the Mavericks for any team that hired him because of the hatred Dallas fans feel toward him.
The best move is clearly taking some time off or looking for a job outside the spotlight. Harrison previously worked for Nike and took part in various business aspects of the basketball industry. No fan base will trust him unless a lot of time passes or a team needs radical change in the front office to justify taking the risk.
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