Nico Harrison decides to double down on stupid

[Castle Black]

Bizarre. Still doesn't make sense. Never will. You'll never convince me that this was just a "whoopsie!" horrendous trade. Dude tanked the entire franchise by trading a top-4 player in the world/generational Superstar at only 25 years old -- just months after said Superstar led his team to the Finals -- to the NBA's biggest team/market/cash-cow for a broken down 32 year-old big man nicknamed "Street Clothes" and 1 FRP. That's it. No other players or draft capital. Didn't even shop him around to create a bidding war so that he could take the highest return. Nothing. Just a worse, older, more injury-prone player who's past his prime + 1 FRP that is projected to be late in the 1st Round. Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

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[jpengland]

Was there league involvement? I don’t know.

But to claim there isn’t something incredibly off about this is ludicrous.

Either the League forced this trade, the current ownership are deliberately tanking the teams value (possible relocation) or someone on the Lakers front office had a hold over someone in the Mavs front office.

He had a top 3 asset in the league and called ONE team, and took an offer that would have undoubtedly been beaten value wise by 20 teams minimum. And ownership didn’t even do ANY due diligence? It would have taken 2 minutes to establish that was a laughable deal for someone with Lukas value.

It’s bull

Either way it stinks. And as a long time Dallas fan I was 100% done with them the second this **** went down. I’m also 90% done with the NBA.

[TheGeneral99]

The craziest thing is Nico inherited an awesome scenario - a young 21 year old franchise generational talent to build around and he **** it up. There are only 3-4 players like this in the league at any given year. The year before he came a 20 year old Luka nearly defeated prime Kawhi and George almost single handedly in a tough 7 game series against the Clippers.

His Porzingis trade was meh, but benefitted the team short-term I guess.

He traded a bit too much for Wood which didn't work out.

The Kyrie trade was good but he gave a bunch of draft picks, and it didn't fit his narrative of defense winning chips.

His best moves were trading for Lively and getting PJ Washington for Grant Williams.

But really, he hasn't had to do much but get some decent pieces around Luka, that's it, lol.

[sp6r=underrated]

The Kyrie trade was good but he gave a bunch of draft picks, and it didn't fit his narrative of defense winning chips.

I'm not even sure the Kyrie trade was good. He got one healthy season out of Kyrie.

[CobraCommander]

I thought Nico was delusional before - now after reading more from the people in the meeting… this needs to be investigated.

New owner-

Trade high value player-

No upside material upside - Luka is a better player than AD when they are both HEALTHY- and AD is not as healthy as Luka on avg… Luka is younger and more beloved - higher tier performer - more marketable- bigger game performer- better in playoffs- home grown- so you got the benefit of his rookie deal while Luka was making all nba teams - was just in finals - and the GM Nico built the team AROUND Luka that went to the finals last year… so gave away the future to help Luka …. All of that to turn around dump Luka ???

Post presser with Nico and after the AD vs Luka game- this is beyond fishy

You were a bit slow to come around, but you nailed it pretty good.

Look I was slow to come around because I work in finance-

The avg person think business people are stupid. “Rich people are dumb” - which is wrong- while we spend millions a year on deep analytics to maximize customer loyalty and long/short term value and ultimately profitability. That’s not dumb - that’s actually smart- you don’t get to be a billionaire being stupid with your money.


I work for a “firm” with a mkt cap north of 150b with companies up to about 1.5b and the level of analysis needed to justify the decision it would take to move an asset like Luka with the risk associated to bringing back AD would be tremendous. The scrutiny from the board or investors would be insane- the person or people that scheduled the meeting to discuss something similar to the Luka trade in the business world would be scrutinized so much that it would simply never happen unless there was a iron clad - rock solid - Chuck Norris approved business plan laid out that went over all of the pros and cons… and then weeks of meetings just to validate what was said just to make this decision that I couldn’t jump to the conclusions that Nico is stupid immediately.


I know better than that - rich people are generally not rich by accident - and no matter what you think- there are rules to the game and the winners generally play by similar rules- I know the rules and I don’t see how any of this makes sense-

Example - the Mavs said 75% of their season ticket holders renewed… but they didn’t say what the sales were LAST year - this would be the first question I asked if they said 75% renewed - I would ask- “what was the % last year when Luka was on the team and what where the raw ticket sales game over game with and without Luka?”

Because if with Luka they had a wait list for season tickets and they could charge for example 1000 a ticket and they got 75% of their people to renew but they dropped the price to 500 a ticket - it’s a HUGE Loss-

I’m slow because with sports as a fan - it’s for fun- but I live the business crap and NO one does this… NO one sabatoges their business like this intentionally- so there has to be more to this than meets the eye


Oh and btw. Winning a ring is the stated goal- but Boston won a ring and sold the team- the stated goal and the ultimate goal could be different - the ultimate goal for Boston was to win a ring and build value of X so that could sell the team for Y…. They sold after winning a ring -

Cuban sold a team that went to the finals -

And even if the Mavs won a ring this year or next - the fans wouldn’t be happier winning with AD than they were losing with Luka- Everyone on this board would say that - so why didn’t someone in the Mavs franchise say that -

People would rather come close with Luka than win with ad- cause LUKA is THEIR hero… from the beginning- not some import

[scrabbarista]

I thought Nico was delusional before - now after reading more from the people in the meeting… this needs to be investigated.

New owner-

Trade high value player-

No upside material upside - Luka is a better player than AD when they are both HEALTHY- and AD is not as healthy as Luka on avg… Luka is younger and more beloved - higher tier performer - more marketable- bigger game performer- better in playoffs- home grown- so you got the benefit of his rookie deal while Luka was making all nba teams - was just in finals - and the GM Nico built the team AROUND Luka that went to the finals last year… so gave away the future to help Luka …. All of that to turn around dump Luka ???

Post presser with Nico and after the AD vs Luka game- this is beyond fishy

You were a bit slow to come around, but you nailed it pretty good.

Look I was slow to come around because I work in finance-

The avg person think business people are stupid. “Rich people are dumb” - which is wrong- while we spend millions a year on deep analytics to maximize customer loyalty and long/short term value and ultimately profitability. That’s not dumb - that’s actually smart- you don’t get to be a billionaire being stupid with your money.


I work for a “firm” with a mkt cap north of 150b with companies up to about 1.5b and the level of analysis needed to justify the decision it would take to move an asset like Luka with the risk associated to bringing back AD would be tremendous. The scrutiny from the board or investors would be insane- the person or people that scheduled the meeting to discuss something similar to the Luka trade in the business world would be scrutinized so much that it would simply never happen unless there was a iron clad - rock solid - Chuck Norris approved business plan laid out that went over all of the pros and cons… and then weeks of meetings just to validate what was said just to make this decision that I couldn’t jump to the conclusions that Nico is stupid immediately.


I know better than that - rich people are generally not rich by accident - and no matter what you think- there are rules to the game and the winners generally play by similar rules- I know the rules and I don’t see how any of this makes sense-

Example - the Mavs said 75% of their season ticket holders renewed… but they didn’t say what the sales were LAST year - this would be the first question I asked if they said 75% renewed - I would ask- “what was the % last year when Luka was on the team and what where the raw ticket sales game over game with and without Luka?”

Because if with Luka they had a wait list for season tickets and they could charge for example 1000 a ticket and they got 75% of their people to renew but they dropped the price to 500 a ticket - it’s a HUGE Loss-

I’m slow because with sports as a fan - it’s for fun- but I live the business crap and NO one does this… NO one sabatoges their business like this intentionally- so there has to be more to this than meets the eye

Totally fair. I didn't mean it as a shot, and I apologize and take it back if it came off that way. I agree with the principles of your reasoning, even with zero of the finance/business background you have.

Side note, the two qualifiers in this line: "the winners generally play by similar rules" gave me quite a chuckle.

PS That line would apply to last night's game in San Francisco. Heavy emphasis on the qualifiers!

[CobraCommander]

You were a bit slow to come around, but you nailed it pretty good.

Look I was slow to come around because I work in finance-

The avg person think business people are stupid. “Rich people are dumb” - which is wrong- while we spend millions a year on deep analytics to maximize customer loyalty and long/short term value and ultimately profitability. That’s not dumb - that’s actually smart- you don’t get to be a billionaire being stupid with your money.


I work for a “firm” with a mkt cap north of 150b with companies up to about 1.5b and the level of analysis needed to justify the decision it would take to move an asset like Luka with the risk associated to bringing back AD would be tremendous. The scrutiny from the board or investors would be insane- the person or people that scheduled the meeting to discuss something similar to the Luka trade in the business world would be scrutinized so much that it would simply never happen unless there was a iron clad - rock solid - Chuck Norris approved business plan laid out that went over all of the pros and cons… and then weeks of meetings just to validate what was said just to make this decision that I couldn’t jump to the conclusions that Nico is stupid immediately.


I know better than that - rich people are generally not rich by accident - and no matter what you think- there are rules to the game and the winners generally play by similar rules- I know the rules and I don’t see how any of this makes sense-

Example - the Mavs said 75% of their season ticket holders renewed… but they didn’t say what the sales were LAST year - this would be the first question I asked if they said 75% renewed - I would ask- “what was the % last year when Luka was on the team and what where the raw ticket sales game over game with and without Luka?”

Because if with Luka they had a wait list for season tickets and they could charge for example 1000 a ticket and they got 75% of their people to renew but they dropped the price to 500 a ticket - it’s a HUGE Loss-

I’m slow because with sports as a fan - it’s for fun- but I live the business crap and NO one does this… NO one sabatoges their business like this intentionally- so there has to be more to this than meets the eye

Totally fair. I didn't mean it as a shot, and I apologize and take it back if it came off that way. I agree with the principles of your reasoning, even with zero of the finance/business background you have.

Side note, the two qualifiers in this line: "the winners generally play by similar rules" gave me quite a chuckle.

In business we do- blah blah blah - “profits” “roi” yada yada yada - show me the money - if someone isn’t showing you the money it’s a trick lol

An investigation is warranted into -

Challenge the assumptions and Nico statements under oath - or the nba looks like a franchise is reducing their value significantly for a decade and increasing the value of the primer franchise and the nbas overall valuation - this should be independent investigation- because it makes the league look fixed

[Swish1906]

The Mavericks franchise will never recover from the Luka trade. The damage its done to the fanbase is irreversible. And they keep digging themselves into a deeper hole.

That's pretty hyperbolic.

Just some recent examples: OKC recovered after trading Harden and losing Durant. Cleveland has recovered from losing LeBron a 2nd time. Houston has recovered after moving Harden. Miami recovered from losing LeBron and Bosh.

While the Mavericks trading Doncic has its own special circumstances, winning cures a lot. But, barring something crazy, Mavericks fans will watch Luka's career wondering "what if".

Harrison is getting all the heat here, but the owners of the franchise had to have signed off on this. Whether the "red-flag" was financial, behavioral, or a combo of both, the Mavericks organization was clearly dead-set on moving Doncic. And while they could/should have squeezed more out of the Lakers, they will still field a competitive team assuming Irving re-signs.

It took the Thunder a PG free agency brainfart and drinking too much Westbrook koolaid to get this turnaround. PG regretted instantly to stay in OKC. If he walks as a FA, then the Thunder gave up Sabonis for a do nothing PG rental. AND there is no Shai, Williams and a gazillion picks in OKC.

And you also dont get it. Dirk made the Mavs special, he made it a special fanbase. "winning" wont fix anything with 99% of the Mavs fan base. What Dirk created is that it matters the most with WHO you are winning games or even a title. In 2011 the fans didnt want the title for themselves or for their team, they wanted it for Dirk. No Mavs fan would trade 2-3 championships with some random stars over this single one with Dirk.

And then Luka comes to Dallas, the same nice kid who embraces the city. Dirk 2.0 and the entire fanbase is ready to ride it out with him for the next 15 years, no matter the up and downs. If the Mavs win a championship the fans wanted that its with Luka. That he wins it for them and the city.

Like i said, that is and will be always Dirks legacy in Dallas. Winning doesnt matter, it matters with who. And Luka was the one the city embraced to do it. They didnt want any other player for this run to the next title. It was supposed to be Luka. And thats why all the Dallas media wrote after the trainwreck media round that Nico is still not getting it. He doesnt understand the Dallas Mavs, so he is either a narcissist or an idiot.

Nico is a dead man walking in Dallas, no matter the results. Everyone wants his ass out of Dallas. No one cares to see thats all folks Anthony Davis lifting up the trophy for the Mavs. It wont be the same,not even close. Also, Nicos behaviour after the trade...i cant think of a bigger coward.

The same with Dumont. His idiotic comments were the nail in his coffin. There is no coming back for all of them with the majority of the fanbase. Because Dirk made the fanbase and their values special.

[DusterBuster]

Not only is Nico stupid, he's a full on coward. If you're that confident in your moves as you claimed, why are you doing it in a private, no audio recorded back room with a small select group of media members. Be a **** man and say it with your chest if you're that confident in what you're doing here.

I can't think of any equal sports story where a franchise and front office member has just blown his own career and the franchise replication so completely.

[Swish1906]

btw i highly doubt the Mavs fan shops in Dallas will sell more than 100 Anthony Davis jerseys to Mavs fans in the entire year 2025.

[BlzMwt]

The Mavericks franchise will never recover from the Luka trade. The damage its done to the fanbase is irreversible. And they keep digging themselves into a deeper hole.

That's pretty hyperbolic.

Just some recent examples: OKC recovered after trading Harden and losing Durant. Cleveland has recovered from losing LeBron a 2nd time. Houston has recovered after moving Harden. Miami recovered from losing LeBron and Bosh.

While the Mavericks trading Doncic has its own special circumstances, winning cures a lot. But, barring something crazy, Mavericks fans will watch Luka's career wondering "what if".

Harrison is getting all the heat here, but the owners of the franchise had to have signed off on this. Whether the "red-flag" was financial, behavioral, or a combo of both, the Mavericks organization was clearly dead-set on moving Doncic. And while they could/should have squeezed more out of the Lakers, they will still field a competitive team assuming Irving re-signs.

None of those examples remotely compare to this.

Those players had either reached the end of their perceived success with the team (Harden in Houston, Lebron in Cleveland) or weren't nearly as good as Luka (Harden in OKC) or it was out of the team's control and the player left or asked out (Lebron, Houston Harden).

Mavs coming off a Finals run with their 25 year old who has all time great potential and trading him when he has given no indication he wants to leave?

And then doubling down continuously on the move?

None of your examples even come close to the multilayer betrayal Dallas fans are feeling.

And I'm sure it will always be a sore spot while they wonder "why" but the organization keeps gaslighting them.

[DusterBuster]

btw i highly doubt the Mavs fan shops in Dallas will sell more than 100 Anthony Davis jerseys to Mavs fans in the entire year 2025.

If I were in AD's shoes, I would have refused to report to Dallas. I would sooner held out, and gone in front of any mic I can to say I'm not going somewhere where I'm going to be the face of a deal like this. I'll never be given a fair shot by the fans in Dallas and everyone will always look at me as the face of the moment they traded away a history franchise player.

[Swish1906]

btw i highly doubt the Mavs fan shops in Dallas will sell more than 100 Anthony Davis jerseys to Mavs fans in the entire year 2025.

If I were in AD's shoes, I would have refused to report to Dallas. I would sooner held out, and gone in front of any mic I can to say I'm not going somewhere where I'm going to be the face of a deal like this. I'll never be given a fair shot by the fans in Dallas and everyone will always look at me as the face of the moment they traded away a history franchise player.

I hope he demands a trade. There is no winning for him in Dallas either. For me personal,i not even want his ass in a mavs jersey after what he did in New Orleans, including "i didnt pick my own cloths". I have zero respect for him since then...well, i can see now why Nico is a big fan of him, they are both cowards.

The Mavs can trade him for a bag of rice.

[JXL]

Read on Twitter

When your Mavericks beat reporter overtly says "This guy's an idiot", it says this organization is cooked.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

When your Mavericks beat reporter overtly says "This guy's an idiot", it says this organization is cooked.

Seriously. The "smart" (using that term loosely) thing for the franchise and Nico to do here was to just disappear. Put out a few press releases here and there, but don't ever do any interviews or show your face at games for at least 1-2 seasons until the team can (hopefully) have some success to where some winning helps soothe things over. No amount of interviews is going to help this situation except for maybe silence. Fans wouldn't have been happy with that either, to be clear, but it at least stops you from digging the hole deeper...

[holdenwait]

how embarrassing

[Snakebites]

He has to say this at this stage.

To admit fault in the trade is essentially to imply public doubt in AD and his ability to lead a contending team, or at the very least to imply his views on the players they got back have changed.

It’s entirely possible he’s still oblivious, but his way is set and there’s really no choice but to respond like this even if he regrets it.

The problem is that he made the deal in the first place. And he still deserves all the criticism in the world for that.

[CobraCommander]

The Mavericks franchise will never recover from the Luka trade. The damage its done to the fanbase is irreversible. And they keep digging themselves into a deeper hole.

That's pretty hyperbolic.

Just some recent examples: OKC recovered after trading Harden and losing Durant. Cleveland has recovered from losing LeBron a 2nd time. Houston has recovered after moving Harden. Miami recovered from losing LeBron and Bosh.

While the Mavericks trading Doncic has its own special circumstances, winning cures a lot. But, barring something crazy, Mavericks fans will watch Luka's career wondering "what if".

Harrison is getting all the heat here, but the owners of the franchise had to have signed off on this. Whether the "red-flag" was financial, behavioral, or a combo of both, the Mavericks organization was clearly dead-set on moving Doncic. And while they could/should have squeezed more out of the Lakers, they will still field a competitive team assuming Irving re-signs.

It took the Thunder a PG free agency brainfart and drinking too much Westbrook koolaid to get this turnaround. PG regretted instantly to stay in OKC. If he walks as a FA, then the Thunder gave up Sabonis for a do nothing PG rental. AND there is no Shai, Williams and a gazillion picks in OKC.

And you also dont get it. Dirk made the Mavs special, he made it a special fanbase. "winning" wont fix anything with 99% of the Mavs fan base. What Dirk created is that it matters the most with WHO you are winning games or even a title. In 2011 the fans didnt want the title for themselves or for their team, they wanted it for Dirk. No Mavs fan would trade 2-3 championships with some random stars over this single one with Dirk.

And then Luka comes to Dallas, the same nice kid who embraces the city. Dirk 2.0 and the entire fanbase is ready to ride it out with him for the next 15 years, no matter the up and downs. If the Mavs win a championship the fans wanted that its with Luka. That he wins it for them and the city.

Like i said, that is and will be always Dirks legacy in Dallas. Winning doesnt matter, it matters with who. And Luka was the one the city embraced to do it. They didnt want any other player for this run to the next title. It was supposed to be Luka. And thats why all the Dallas media wrote after the trainwreck media round that Nico is still not getting it. He doesnt understand the Dallas Mavs, so he is either a narcissist or an idiot.

Nico is a dead man walking in Dallas, no matter the results. Everyone wants his ass out of Dallas. No one cares to see thats all folks Anthony Davis lifting up the trophy for the Mavs. It wont be the same,not even close. Also, Nicos behaviour after the trade...i cant think of a bigger coward.

The same with Dumont. His idiotic comments were the nail in his coffin. There is no coming back for all of them with the majority of the fanbase. Because Dirk made the fanbase and their values special.

Man this is spot on - people love their team but basketball isn’t football- football is all about the team- baseball - the team

In basketball it’s the player - we talk about Jordan has 6 rings- not the bulls- LeBron has 4- what teams again?? The Mavs wanted to win with Luka - watch their guy win one… now they are going to follow their guy to LA… at the Mavs expense- but a smart man knew that before the trade -

[Castle Black]

Imagine alienating the greatest player in your franchise's history. Wild.

Read on Twitter

[Optms]

btw i highly doubt the Mavs fan shops in Dallas will sell more than 100 Anthony Davis jerseys to Mavs fans in the entire year 2025.

If I were in AD's shoes, I would have refused to report to Dallas. I would sooner held out, and gone in front of any mic I can to say I'm not going somewhere where I'm going to be the face of a deal like this. I'll never be given a fair shot by the fans in Dallas and everyone will always look at me as the face of the moment they traded away a history franchise player.

I hope he demands a trade. There is no winning for him in Dallas either. For me personal,i not even want his ass in a mavs jersey after what he did in New Orleans, including "i didnt pick my own cloths". I have zero respect for him since then...well, i can see now why Nico is a big fan of him, they are both cowards.

The Mavs can trade him for a bag of rice.

AD's value is high. Wait until either OKC or the Rockets flame out in the playoffs and sell him to one of them for a haul.