Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Nico Harrison Reportedly Asked Mavericks Ownership To Trade Luka Doncic
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Dallas Mavericks News & Analysis > Nico Harrison Reportedly Asked Mavericks Ownership To Trade Luka Doncic

Nico Harrison Reportedly Asked Mavericks Ownership To Trade Luka Doncic

Stephen A. Smith claims Nico Harrison, not Mavericks ownership, initiated the shocking Luka Doncic trade.

Vishwesha Kumar
Apr 22, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Nico Harrison may never have expected the full storm he invited when he traded Luka Doncic, but according to Stephen A. Smith, the real shock is how that trade came to be.

Speaking on First Take, Smith dropped a bombshell that flips the narrative around the league. 

While it was widely believed that the Dallas Mavericks‘ ownership group initiated the idea of trading Luka Doncic to avoid committing to a looming $345 million supermax extension, Smith reported that it was in fact general manager Nico Harrison who approached ownership with the idea.

“Over the last week, I’ve received several phone calls where I’ve been told, Nico made that trade. He went to management and said, this is what I want to do. It wasn’t management coming to him saying, we don’t want to pay Luka 345 million.”

“They wanted to make sure their investment would be worth it, but it was Nico who went to them and said, I want to trade Luka Doncic. And I’m saying, if that’s true, he’s owned it.”

“Well part of owning it is being quiet about it, not saying anything, and saying, wait till next year when my boys are healthy. We missed a combined 345 games due to injury. Wait till you see us next year and move on. Stop talking about this. There’s no gain from it at this point. No gain.”

Stephen A. Smith says Nico Harrison told ownership that he wanted to trade Luka

“I've received several phone calls where I've been told… it was Nico who went to [Mavs management] and said ‘I want to trade Luka Doncic’”😳

(h/t @ClutchPoints)

pic.twitter.com/oeydEcNBoy

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2025

The implications of this revelation are massive. If accurate, it removes any shield of financial responsibility or ownership-level pressure and places the full burden of the decision on Harrison’s shoulders. 

More than that, it reveals that trading Doncic was not a reluctant compromise; it was a proactive decision by a GM convinced it was the best path forward.

This new context also reframes Harrison’s recent public appearances, where he has attempted to justify the move by pointing to injuries and long-term vision. While acknowledging the backlash, Harrison admitted he didn’t fully grasp how beloved Luka was in Dallas.

The fan reaction was immediate and furious. Protests outside the American Airlines Center. “Fire Nico” chants when Doncic returned to Dallas in a Lakers uniform. Social media is flooded with Mavs fans demanding accountability. And now, if Smith’s report is true, that anger has a clearer target.

Doncic, who never publicly requested a trade, was blindsided. He had bought property in Dallas, voiced his desire to play his whole career there, and even led the Mavericks to the Finals just a year prior. His camp had frustrations with how the team handled his injuries and medical staff turnover, but nowhere was there a formal demand to leave.

What makes this even more confusing for fans is that the return, headlined by Anthony Davis, has yet to inspire confidence. Davis was injured in his debut, and the Mavs failed to make it out of the Play-In. Meanwhile, Luka remains an MVP candidate and has reinvigorated a Los Angeles Lakers team once thought to be spiraling.

If this report is accurate, then Nico Harrison didn’t just miscalculate the trade—he misread the soul of the franchise. Luka Doncic wasn’t just a superstar. He was the superstar Dallas had waited for since Dirk. 

And now, it seems, his departure wasn’t forced by money or a contract. It was driven by a man who underestimated what he meant to a city.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Dallas Mavericks ArchiveLuka DoncicNico Harrison
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Kendrick Perkins: “Jaren Jackson Jr. Is The Most Overhyped Player In This League. He’s Not Even A Top…”
Next Article Michael Jordan Tops List Of Highest-Paid Athletes In History With $4.15 Billion
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?