A lot has been said about the Dallas Mavericks' decision to fire general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, and much more can be expected. Legendary NBA big man Shaquille O'Neal is among the notable figures who have shared their thoughts on it, and what he said could turn some heads.
“When you are in a powerful position, sometimes you become what's known as the scapegoat,” the Basketball Hall of Famer said (via NBA on ESPN). “He's done a lot of things there, but he will always be remembered for trading Luka Doncic.”
There is no denying that the trade that sent superstar guard Luka Doncic from the Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in February will always be attached to the name of Harrison — and not for great reasons. Many believe that Harrison was the chief engineer of that trade, and since then, he's always been viewed in a negative light by Mavs supporters. At the same time, others also believe that Harrison probably just took orders.
Either way, Harrison is no longer part of the Mavericks organization, and Dallas now looks to keep on moving forward.
With Harrison gone in Dallas, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been named as the co-interim general managers for the Mavericks, who are having a rough start to the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
Entering Wednesday's meeting at home with Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns, the Mavs, who got Anthony Davis as part of the package from the Doncic trade, have won just three of eight games, leaving them near the cellar of the Western Conference standings.
