For several months now, Nico Harrison (general manager of the Mavericks) has become the most hated man in Dallas, and fans have made sure he knows it every time he sets foot in the American Airlines Center. Specifically, since the moment he came up with the idea to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. A decision he still doesn’t regret… despite the desperate situation the Mavericks are facing to qualify for the NBA playoffs.

Dallas Mavericks on the Brink of Disaster Without Doncic

On the eve of their first play-in game in Sacramento against the Kings, hoping for a win that would allow them to move on to the final round—where the Grizzlies await after losing to the Warriors (121–116)—Nico Harrison addressed the press to once again justify the decision to send Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Undoubtedly, one of the most unpredictable moves in NBA history.

“There are no regrets about the trade,” Nico Harrison began, continuing, “Part of my job is to do what’s best for the Mavericks, not just for today but for the future, and some of the decisions I make are going to be unpopular.” That was certainly the case at the American Airlines Center last week, when Luka Doncic was welcomed back to Dallas like a hero… while Nico Harrison was loudly criticized.

“We’re Excited”

According to Nico Harrison himself, “defense wins championships,” and as he explained at the time of the trade, he believes Dallas is now closer to winning an NBA title without Luka Doncic, whom they traded along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round Draft pick. A deal that Los Angeles had no hesitation in accepting—and months later, it’s the Lakers who now feel much closer to winning it all.

“We believe in the move we made. You guys obviously don’t. And that’s okay. You have the right to your opinions, but we’re excited. I think once we win, that’ll change your minds,” Nico Harrison concluded. Only time will tell if he’s right. But with two play-in rounds ahead if they want to make the playoffs, it's hard to imagine the Mavericks even coming close to repeating last season’s Finals run with Doncic on the roster.