Luka Doncic (Image Credits: Imagn)

Luka Doncic’s trade last season remains one of the most shocking and controversial moves in recent NBA history. Stunningly, just a season before, Doncic had led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in a decade. Despite his success, the Mavericks executed the trade without informing Doncic beforehand.

The aftermath of the trade sparked outrage among the Mavs fans. Many criticized the Mavericks’ front office, and reports quickly identified General Manager Nico Harrison as the architect behind the shocking decision. On First Take, NBA insider Shams Charania reiterated Harrison’s central role in the move.

“It was Nico Harrison; It was Nico Harrison’s decision; It was Nico Harrison’s pitch. It was Nico Harrison’s idea to trade Luka Doncic. But, of course, any move that gets made, Stephen A., you know, if a general manager at any level is making a trade, it is with the blessing and the sign-off of ownership as well. Now, it might have taken Nico Harrison days, weeks, to get Patrick Dumont on board,” Charania said.

Harrison became the main target of fan frustration. “Fire Nico” chants have echoed through arenas since the trade in several games. The move brought Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers to Dallas, but the addition did little to calm the storm.

On Tuesday, nine months after the trade that sent Doncic away, Dallas officially fired Nico Harrison. The firing came as the Mavericks stumbled to a 3–8 record.

Shams Charania Details The Alignment That Paved The Way For Luka Doncic’s Shocking Trade

Luka Doncic (Image Credits: Imagn)
Harrison was the one who approached Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to trade Luka. Charania later detailed how Harrison managed to gain the trust of Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont to finalize the deal.

“After the Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals in 2024, I’m told that’s when the Patrick Dumont-Nico Harrison relationship, that was the strongest it’s ever been. That’s when Patrick Dumont, what I’m told, he looked at Nico Harrison as a basketball savant, as someone that when Nico Harrison speaks, when he has an idea, it’s basketball gospel. And so when Nico Harrison came to Patrick Dumont with that concept, there was alignment there. Eventually, there was alignment within the front office, alignment with the coach. And that’s when you see this transaction take place,” Charania added.

The trade that sent Doncic away not only cost Nico Harrison his job but also dismantled the Mavericks’ momentum as a contender. It’s now a reminder of how one controversial decision can turn a championship-caliber squad into a franchise fighting to regain its identity.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.