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The Dallas Mavericks entered Tuesday with a 3-8 overall record, sitting 14th in the Western Conference and ranking dead last in points per game (106.5) and 29th in offensive rating (103.9). Their struggles have been compounded by injuries: Anthony Davis missed time early with lingering health issues, while Kyrie Irving has yet to return from an ACL tear. Even with the addition of Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the team has failed to find rhythm. Flagg's career-high 26 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday were overshadowed by a blown 13-point lead and chants of "Fire Nico" echoing through American Airlines Center. Now, the organization has responded. On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Mavericks have fired general manager Nico Harrison following a turbulent tenure marked by controversial roster moves and a disappointing start to the 2025-26 NBA season. Read More: Jimmy Butler, Steve Kerr Rave About Warriors Rookie After Another Big Game Appointed in 2021 after a successful career at Nike, Harrison was initially praised for his player relationships and business acumen. His early moves even helped Dallas reach the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, but optimism faded quickly. The nail in the coffin ultimately came in February 2025, when Harrison traded away cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was widely criticized at the time, and noise has only gotten louder as Doncic is thriving in L.A. (averaging a league-high 37.1 points per game), while the Mavericks sit near the bottom of the NBA standings Read More: Tyrese Maxey Joins 76ers’ Legend Amid Historic Start to NBA Season The backlash has been relentless. "Fire Nico" chants have become a fixture at home games since the Doncic trade, and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitskzki even recently described the team as "tough to watch." Reports suggest tension between Harrison and majority owner Patrick Dumont, who also now faces the challenges of acknowledging a failed mission and steering the franchise forward after signing off on the Doncic trade. Dallas ultimately sacrificed its generational star for immediate contention, only to be left with injuries, poor chemistry, and dwindling fan trust. The move signals a pivot toward rebuilding around Flagg, whose presence offers hope but also immense pressure.
