LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic spoke on the recent firing of former Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, the person who traded the superstar to the Lakers in February.
Doncic, who was asked about Harrison’s firing after the team’s 121-92 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, preferred not to address the situation directly and declined to speak on a possible return to Dallas.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Lakers,” Doncic said. “No further comments.”
On the first night of February, Harrison shocked the basketball world when the Mavericks traded Doncic in exchange for power forward Anthony Davis in a three-way deal. The move drew criticism and pressure mounted on Harrison, with fans routinely chanting “Fire Nico” at home games.
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The Mavericks’ season collapsed: Davis suffered an adductor injury in his first appearance for the team while Kyrie Irving tore his ACL. Dallas slid to 10th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs after making the finals the year prior.
Nine months after the trade, the Mavericks fired Harrison after starting the season 3-8 and months of fan discontent.
Doncic, meanwhile, is continuing to make a name for himself in Southern California. He’s averaging 34.9 points per game this season while also averaging 9.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists. The Lakers finished third in the West last season and currently sit fifth with a 8-4 record.
Despite leaving the Lone Star State, Doncic said he still holds the Mavericks close to his heart.
“I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn’t,” Doncic said. “So that will always be a special place for me. I will always call it home. But right now, I’m focused on the Lakers and trying to move on. But obviously, always there will be a part of me there.”
Harrison became general manager of the Mavericks at the start of the 2021-22 season. During his tenure, Dallas made two trips to the Western Conference Final and one trip to the NBA Finals, eventually losing to the Boston Celtics in 2024.
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