The Mavericks officially fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, ending a turbulent tenure that began with promise but unraveled after one of the most controversial trades in franchise history.
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Per ESPN, the decision followed a morning meeting between Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont, who said the move was necessary to "build a championship-caliber organization." Assistant GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will oversee basketball operations on an interim basis.
"This decision reflects our continued commitment to building a championship-caliber organization, one that delivers for our players, our partners, and most importantly, our fans," Dumont said in a statement.
Harrison's downfall traces directly to the shocking February trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick. The deal ignited fan outrage and led to "Fire Nico" chants at American Airlines Center — chants that grew louder as the Mavs fell to 3-8 this season.
In a letter to fans, Dumont said, "No one associated with the Mavericks is happy with the start of what we all believed would be a promising season... When the results don't meet expectations, it's my responsibility to act."
Patrick Dumont’s open letter to Mavericks fans after the ouster of Nico Harrison: pic.twitter.com/WESxulFRPr
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 11, 2025
Harrison, hired in 2021 after a long Nike career, helped build a Finals roster in 2024 but never recovered from the Doncic decision. Dallas has lost five of its last six and sits near the bottom of the West.
The franchise now turns to Finley and Riccardi to steady things — and to rebuild trust with a fan base still reeling from the deal that changed everything.
