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Is anyone happier than Dallas fans right now? Doubt it. Their long-time wish finally came true: GM Nico Harrison got the boot on Tuesday. After a gloomy 3–8 start and “Fire Nico” chants rattling the rafters night after night, the writing wasn’t just on the wall, it was flashing in neon. The man who once signed Luka Doncic’s deal might’ve just signed his own exit papers that same day. Getting fired never feels good, and finding another gig in this market? Good luck with that. Still, if there’s one thing about Harrison, it’s that he’s never one to back down. Bleacher Report couldn’t help but notice something rather hilarious on Nico Harrison’s Instagram just hours after he was shown the door in Dallas. With over 11,000 followers watching, the now-former Mavericks GM quietly updated his bio, swapping “GM of the Dallas Mavericks” for a brutally honest one-word résumé update: “Unemployed.” If that doesn’t scream I’m fine, really, nothing does. It’s the kind of move that says more than any press statement could. A man who once negotiated Luka Doncic’s megadeal now joking about his own pink slip? Poetic. Harrison’s run in Dallas began back in 2021 and wasn’t without its highs. The 2024 Finals appearance was his proudest headline moment. But when last season unraveled, so did the patience of everyone involved: ownership, fans, and even Luka’s camp. ADVERTISEMENT Team owner Patrick Dumont finally made the call Tuesday morning after weeks of mounting tension and open revolt from the fanbase. Dumont’s letter to the “Mavs Family” checked every PR box, thanking fans, promising transparency, and talking about rebuilding the “winning culture.” He even ended it with a neat little bow: “Go Mavs!” What he didn’t do was acknowledge the elephant in the locker room, the decisions that put Dallas here in the first place, the trade. Now, the real work begins. Assistant GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been appointed co-interim GMs to keep the ship steady. But the Mavericks won’t stay in limbo for long. Dumont confirmed a “comprehensive search” for a permanent replacement, a process that’s expected to move fast. ADVERTISEMENT Names already floating around? The usual suspects: Mark Cuban, Dennis Lindsey, Bob Myers, Masai Ujiri, and David Griffin, each with the kind of résumé that screams instant credibility. Whoever takes the reins has a tough job ahead: stabilize the locker room, reconnect with an exhausted fan base, and, most importantly, protect the team’s future, especially when it comes to top prospect Flagg. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic and the Lakers are in no hurry to chime in. Why would they? Doncic is too busy enjoying life in purple and gold and the internet is still replaying that gravity-defying dunk that had the timeline losing its mind. ADVERTISEMENT Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Luka Doncic’s list of ‘haters’ just keeps growing! Coming back to Luka Doncic’s new home in Los Angeles, the Lakers must’ve been grinning from the sidelines watching it all unfold, especially after that once-in-a-blue-moon dunk he threw down against the Hornets. Late in the third quarter, Doncic glided through a slick pick-and-roll with Deandre Ayton, read the defense like a book, and suddenly took flight. No floater, no layup, just a full-throttle, two-foot takeoff that left him hanging from the rim like he was posing for a photo shoot. For someone better known for step-backs and spin passes than vertical fireworks, it had everyone gasping. ADVERTISEMENT The play felt like a statement, not just to Charlotte, but to anyone still doubting how comfortable Doncic has grown in purple and gold. And, true to his playful spirit, he didn’t let the moment end quietly. With a grin, he joked about teammate Austin Reaves after the game, saying, “He’s a hater. He’s got zero…I can dunk. I just don’t want to do it all the time.” The locker room erupted, knowing Luka’s humor comes as naturally as his step-back threes. But the “hater” saga didn’t stop there. After the Nico Harrison firing, Doncic celebrated in his own way, posting a few Lakers-themed photos on Instagram. Underneath, teammate Jake LaRavia couldn’t resist teasing him with a cheeky “U can dunk?” to which Luka fired back, “hater #2.” Fans instantly ran wild with it, wondering if this was a sly jab at his ex-GM, now promoted to “hater #1” in Luka’s personal rankings. Whatever the joke’s intent, one thing’s certain: Doncic is thriving. The laughter, the chemistry, the light-hearted banter, all signs that he’s finally found his comfort zone in L.A.
