The Dallas Mavericks have let go of General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Nico Harrison, only nine months after the highly criticised trade that sent franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The decision, announced by team owner Patrick Dumont, comes as the Mavericks struggle with a disappointing 3-8 start to the 2025-26 NBA season.
Nico Harrison News: The Inevitable Departure
Harrison’s firing on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, comes after months of mounting pressure and audible “Fire Nico” chants from a deeply disgruntled fanbase. The near-universally panned trade in February 2025 that sent the generational talent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick is widely viewed as the central reason for the move. Harrison, who was hired in 2021 and had a multi-year extension as recently as June 2024, saw his tenure abruptly end after Dallas’s latest home loss, where chants demanding his exit were clearly heard with owner Patrick Dumont courtside.
Nico Harrison’s Latest Update and Dumont’s Action
The disastrous start to the new season and the overwhelmingly negative public sentiment apparently were the final straw for ownership. In many eyes, this move is one of the organisation taking accountability for the failed gamble of the Doncic trade. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi were named as co-interim GMs, with both currently serving as assistant general managers, to oversee basketball operations while the team begins a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement.
Nico Harrison Statement (via Owner)
While Harrison himself has not released a detailed public statement, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont did issue an open letter to the fans regarding the change. In the letter, Dumont said, “No one associated with the Mavericks organisation 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. I’ve made the decision to part ways with General Manager Nico Harrison.” Dumont emphasised that the move was “critical to moving our franchise forward in a positive direction” and recognised the “profound impact these difficult last several months have had.”
Nico Harrison Stats: A Tainted Legacy
Harrison’s legacy with the Mavs is complicated for now. Over his first three seasons, he hit on a number of key moves that developed into the 2022 Western Conference Finals team and the 2024 NBA Finals team. But the big-picture stats of the post-Doncic era have been grim: this season opened 3-8, and there’s been a precipitous drop-off in team performance that starkly contrasts Luka Doncic’s MVP-level play with the Lakers. Harrison’s initial defence for the trade rested on building a “defence wins championships” type identity, and it simply hasn’t materialised with Anthony Davis battling through injuries already.
Pre-GM Years: Nico Harrison College and Family Background
Before coming aboard with the Mavericks, the 52-year-old Harrison spent almost two decades as a top executive at Nike, where he became close to many NBA stars, including the late great Kobe Bryant. His hoop roots go back to his playing days in college at Montana State University, where he was a star player. His personal life, including his wife, Darlise, a former producer, has remained remarkably private throughout his time in the spotlight, though Darlise reportedly stepped away from her career to focus on their family.
Nico Harrison Instagram Change
In a surprising and rather humorous turn after the news broke, Harrison quickly updated his verified Instagram bio, adding in the word “unemployed”; the move went viral, showing the former executive accepting his fate with a touch of wit.
The Role of the Dallas Mavericks Owner
The buck ultimately stops with Dallas Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont. Dumont, whose family bought a majority stake from Mark Cuban in late 2023, signed off on the blockbuster trade that brought about this day. By jettisoning Harrison, he signals an attempt to appease an incensed fanbase and a change in organisational course. The onus now falls upon Dumont to oversee the process of hiring a new general manager to sort out the mess that was left by the botched blockbuster trade.
FAQs
Who is Nico Harrison’s wife?
Nico Harrison is married to Darlise Harrison, who has been a producer for ABC News and BET since 2008.
Why did Dallas trade Luka Doncic?
The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic primarily to improve team defence and roster balance by acquiring Anthony Davis, and due to front office concerns over Doncic’s long-term contract and conditioning.
How are Nico Harrison & Steph Curry connected?
Nico Harrison and Steph Curry are connected because Harrison, as a Nike executive, infamously fumbled the pitch to re-sign Curry to the brand in 2013, leading to Curry leaving for Under Armour.
Why did the Mavs fire Nico?
The Dallas Mavericks fired General Manager Nico Harrison primarily due to the disastrous fallout for the highly criticised Luka Doncic trade and the poor performance of the team to start the 2025-26 NBA season.
Why are people chanting fire nico?
People were chanting “Fire Nico!” primarily because of the intense and negative fallout from the controversial trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
What is the Dallas Mavericks’ mission statement?
The Dallas Mavericks do not have a single, short mission statement. Instead, they have a “Workplace Promise” of “Every voice matters and everybody belongs” and a vision to set the global standard for diversity and inclusion in the NBA.
