Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison made clear on Tuesday that he remains fully confident in the franchise’s decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. He said he has “no regrets” and believes the controversial move will pay dividends in time.
Harrison, joined by newly appointed team CEO Rick Welts, addressed a small local media group in an hour-long roundtable at American Airlines Center. The discussion marked Harrison’s most comprehensive public remarks since the Feb. 1 trade that sent shockwaves through the league.
“Part of my job is to do what’s best for the Mavericks — not just in the present, but for the future,” Harrison said. “There are going to be decisions that aren’t popular. I understand that. But that’s what leadership requires.”
Dallas Mavericks Have Struggled Since Trading Luka Dončić
The trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick has sparked widespread criticism and skepticism among fans and analysts alike. Since the move, the Mavericks have gone 12–18 and are clinging to the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Kyrie Irving’s season-ending ACL injury has further complicated the team’s short-term outlook.
Despite the immediate struggles, Harrison insisted that the trade aligned with a broader organizational shift toward building a championship-caliber defense.
“When I came in, we wanted to become a team that wins with defense,” Harrison said. “This trade reinforces that identity. Anthony Davis is one of the best defenders in the world.”
Harrison acknowledged the frustration from fans, but pointed to past deals — such as acquiring Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington — that were initially doubted but later validated.
“When I traded for Kyrie, people thought it was a disaster,” he said. “Eventually, it became a move people praised. Same with Gafford and Washington. These things take time.”
He also maintained that the team remains committed to a three-to-four-year timeline for serious title contention, even as the Mavericks no longer control their own first-round picks for several years.
Asked how that timeline aligns with the current roster and draft limitations, Harrison responded, “We believe in the move we made. If we win — and we believe we will — those concerns won’t matter.”
As for his own future with the franchise, Harrison, who is under contract for three more seasons, said he fully expects to see that plan through.
“I have three years left on my deal,” he said. “I plan to finish it out.”
