Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison has doubled down on his “defense wins championships” mantra, defending the blockbuster trade of star point guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers. The move, which shocked the Dallas fan base and prompted chants for Harrison’s firing, was made despite concerns that it may have been the wrong call.
Harrison said he targeted Anthony Davis with their defense-first philosophy, wanting a two-way player to lead the team. He dismissed criticism from minority owner Mark Cuban, who lost control of basketball operations when he sold the majority share of the franchise last season, as not relevant to the decision-making process.
Cuban had publicly criticized the trade, saying it was a mistake and that Doncic’s agent should have been consulted. However, Harrison maintained that the team couldn’t look for advice from people outside the organization who weren’t familiar with their daily operations.
The trade deal saw Davis headlined a package from the Lakers that included promising wing Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The Mavericks also got an opportunity to see how their new roster would perform, which they did during a recent home game against the Houston Rockets.
Despite the controversy surrounding the trade, Maverick minority owner Mark Cuban cited a season-ticket renewal rate of between 75% and 80% as evidence that the fan base remains enthusiastic about the team. The team’s CEO, Marc Dumont, echoed this sentiment, saying he believes the passionate fan base gives them a “wonderful chance to win back” fans who are unsure about the Mavericks right now.
Harrison acknowledged that injuries have derailed Dallas’ season, but emphasized that their philosophy of defense-first basketball will remain the same going forward.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44685264/mavs-gm-nico-harrison-no-regrets-luka-doncic-trade