The Dallas Mavericks are off to one of their worst starts in franchise history, and the conversation across the NBA is turning toward the man who built the roster. President of Basketball Operations and general manager, Nico Harrison, is facing mounting questions about his job security as the Mavericks sit at the bottom of the Western Conference following Dallas's 118-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
On his Howdy Partners podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said it is “absolutely a legitimate question” whether Harrison can keep his job as the Mavericks try to steady a season that is rapidly slipping away. “When you talk to people about the Mavericks around the league, it is the first question that people are asking,” MacMahon said.
Harrison earned a multiyear contract extension in June 2024 just as the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals. That success seems distant now as Dallas has stumbled to a 2-7 start while fielding the league’s worst offense with an offensive rating of 103.2. Despite ranking sixth in defense, the Mavericks cannot score consistently, creating pressure that has quickly shifted to the front office.
Nico Harrison has remained controversial with Mavericks fans
Harrison’s controversial decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season has only intensified the criticism. The deal brought Anthony Davis and other pieces to Dallas in a move designed to improve the team’s size and defense. Instead, injuries to Davis and Kyrie Irving have crippled the offense, while Doncic is thriving in Los Angeles.
Team governor Patrick Dumont reportedly still supports Harrison, but even that confidence could be tested if the Mavericks continue to struggle. Dallas fans have been vocal about their frustration since the trade, and with the team losing ground early, the noise surrounding Harrison’s future has reached a fever pitch.
For Harrison, the path forward depends on results. If Dallas can rediscover its rhythm once Irving returns and rookie Cooper Flagg continues to develop, the pressure may ease. But with the Mavericks’ season already teetering, the clock on Harrison’s tenure appears to be ticking louder with each defeat.
