Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

‘Just Don’t Talk’ – Mavs GM Nico Harrison Faces Backlash from Stephen A. Smith After Defending Luka Doncic Trade

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith has spoken some harsh words after Dallas Mavericks’ Nico Harrison held a closed press briefing. Harrison, who is already under fire for sanctioning the unpopular Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers trade, has sought to come clean by being transparent with the media.

However, Tuesday’s media briefing was far from transparent and raised eyebrows when it was made ‘behind closed doors.’ No recording devices, including smartphones, were allowed during the press meet. The Dallas Mavericks GM on Tuesday repeated his stance of not having any regrets about the shocking trade deal.

Nico Harrison on the Luka Doncic trade:

“Some of those decisions are going to be unpopular maybe to [Dirk Nowitzki] and maybe to the fans, but my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks.”

(via @tim_cato) pic.twitter.com/5DXuUu3MSG
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 15, 2025

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Such a statement further sparked the debate within the Mavericks’ fanbase, angering them. Luka Doncic, who was supposed to be the face of the franchise for years to come or even a decade, was reportedly forced out of Dallas. A place he considered his second home and had plans to retire there.

In the January trade window, one thing led to another, and Doncic was shipped to the Lakers. On the opposite side of the trade, Anthony Davis made his way to the Dallas Mavericks with Max Christie and a first-round pick. Analyst Stephen A. Smith, like many other NBA and Dallas Mavericks fans, echoed that there was no explanation for such a trade.

“Just let the whole damn season end. Because there’s nothing that you can do to explain it. You don’t have a press conference right now and talk about it, you just don’t. You shut up and you go home. That’s what you do. Do your exit interviews when the season’s over.”

"You shut up and you go home. That's what [Nico Harrison] should do." 😳 @stephenasmith says he "hated" Nico Harrison's recent comments on having "no regrets" about trading Luka Doncic 👀 pic.twitter.com/GnyHw33TN5
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 16, 2025

Stephen A. Smith was angered by Nico Harrison’s ‘no regret’ stance on the trade. The Dallas Mavericks general manager believes defences win championships, which is why the trade was pursued. Anthony Davis is a fine defensive piece, but the Center is already 32 years old with a poor injury record.

Poor Trade Deal by Nico Harrison

Even if Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison decided to move away from Luka Doncic, he had the biggest bargaining chip. Any team would have been more than willing to let their team have a face who would lead them for years to come. However, Nico Harrison’s poor negotiation is also what has baffled Mavericks fans.

A quick trade deal with the Lakers under the shadows saw only Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick come in exchange for Luka Doncic. Analysts and fans alike believe that the Dallas Mavericks deserved way more in exchange for giving away the Slovenian international.

For instance, when the New York Knicks moved for a player of caliber such as Mikal Bridges, they had to give away five first-round draft picks. The Brooklyn Nets strongly used their bargaining chip to get what they wanted: Rebuilding. But the same cannot be said for Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks.