Embattled Dallas Mavericks normal supervisor Nico Harrison was peppered with questions Monday about his determination to commerce Luka Doncic in Febhttps://www.nbcnews.com/sports activities/nfl/travis-hunter-nfl-draft-offense-defense-rcna200534ruary, admitting he didn’t know precisely how a lot Mavericks followers cared concerning the former franchise famous person.
Answering questions from reporters at an end-of-season press convention, Harrison was requested if the “anger and outrage” from followers exceeded what he anticipated when he made the choice to commerce Doncic, who led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2023.
“I knew Luka was necessary to the fan base,” Harrison mentioned. “I didn’t fairly understand it to what degree.”
Doncic, a five-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Workforce choice, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2 in a transfer that shocked the basketball world. In his introductory press convention with the Lakers, Doncic — who’s second solely to Michael Jordan in postseason scoring common — mentioned he deliberate to signal an extension with the Mavericks this summer season. Doncic has additionally since mentioned he deliberate to spend his whole profession in Dallas.
Harrison has been broadly criticized for the transfer, most vociferously by the workforce’s personal followers. Instantly following the commerce, Mavericks followers created one thing of a memorial for the traded participant proper exterior the workforce’s dwelling area. Harrison has additionally been topic to quite a few “Fireplace Nico” chants at dwelling video games for the reason that transaction.
In a gathering with chosen reporters earlier this month, Harrison mentioned he had “no regrets” concerning the commerce, reportedly repeating the phrase “protection wins championships” when requested about his reasoning for the transfer.
To make issues worse for Dallas, level guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in early March, and ahead Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the return bundle for Doncic, appeared in solely 9 common season video games for the Mavericks due to accidents.
Dallas finally missed the playoffs after dropping to the Memphis Grizzlies within the second spherical of the Play-In Event.
Harrison was requested instantly by a reporter why he ought to nonetheless have his job after the turmoil of the final three months.
“I believe I’ve executed a extremely good job right here,” Harrison mentioned. “I don’t assume I might be judged by accidents this yr. You must be judged in totality from starting to finish.”
On April 9, Doncic performed in his first recreation again in Dallas since becoming a member of the Lakers. He visibly cried through the workforce’s tribute video for him through the recreation.
Doncic additionally scored 45 factors in a 112-97 win for Los Angeles.
