Nico Harrison’s time as the Dallas Mavericks’ GM has been nothing short of a disaster, highlighted by the shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers and a series of baffling moves that have left the franchise in ruins.
A Promising Start Turns Into a Nightmare
When Harrison took over as the Mavericks’ GM, there was hope that his connections and fresh perspective would elevate the franchise. Instead, his tenure has been defined by poor decision-making, culminating in the unthinkable trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for an injury-prone Anthony Davis and a role player in Max Christie.
The aftermath was immediate and brutal—Mavs fans rioted, the roster crumbled, and the franchise’s future now looks uncertain. But the Luka trade was just the latest in a series of missteps that have turned Dallas into a laughingstock around the league.
From losing Jalen Brunson for nothing to letting key role players walk without resistance, Harrison’s decisions have been questionable at best and franchise-crippling at worst.
Here’s a breakdown of every catastrophic move Harrison has made, solidifying why he may be the worst GM in NBA history.
2022 – Kristaps Porzingis: A Three-Team Trade Gone Wrong
Trade Details:
- Dallas Mavericks Received: Spencer Dinwiddie, Davis Bertans
- Washington Wizards Received: Kristaps Porzingis, Vernon Carey, Ish Smith, 2022 Second-Round Pick, Cash Considerations
- Charlotte Hornets Received: Montrezl Harrell
- Phoenix Suns Received: Aaron Holiday
The first major red flag in Harrison’s tenure was this puzzling trade. Porzingis, despite his injury history, was a legitimate second option alongside Luka Doncic, averaging 20.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game over three seasons.
Rather than maximizing his value, Harrison flipped him for Dinwiddie, who was inconsistent, and Bertans, whose massive contract was one of the worst in the league.
Porzingis later revived his career with the Celtics, playing a key role in their 2024 championship run. Meanwhile, Dallas struggled to find a reliable second star for Luka, exposing the first of many missteps by Harrison.
2022 Offseason – Jalen Brunson Walks for Nothing
Move Details:
- Signed with: New York Knicks (4-year, $156.5 million)
Harrison’s most inexcusable move—outside of trading Luka—was allowing Jalen Brunson to leave for the Knicks without making a serious offer.
Brunson, who had just averaged 21.6 points and 3.7 assists in the playoffs, proved his worth almost immediately, blossoming into a superstar and leading the Knicks to back-to-back playoff appearances.
Looking back, his ability to run the offense and ease pressure off Luka was irreplaceable. Even though Dallas brought in Kyrie Irving, losing Brunson was a monumental mistake. With Luka now gone and Irving dealing with injuries, the decision looks even worse in hindsight.
2023 Offseason – Derrick Jones Jr. Let Go Without a Fight
Move Details:
- Signed with: Los Angeles Clippers (3-year, $30 million)
Derrick Jones Jr. may not have been a star, but his impact during the Mavs’ 2024 Finals run was undeniable. As a versatile defender and athletic lob threat, he played a crucial role in Dallas’s success.
Despite this, Harrison let him leave for the Clippers without making a competitive offer, costing the Mavs an elite athlete who thrived in their defensive system. Jones has since excelled in Los Angeles, proving once again that Harrison undervalues key role players.
2025 – Luka Doncic: The Trade That Shattered Dallas
Trade Details:
- Dallas Mavericks Received: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 First-Round Pick
- Los Angeles Lakers Received: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Following the trade, Mavs fans erupted in protests outside the American Airlines Center. Meanwhile, Davis lasted just one half of basketball before suffering yet another injury. The deal was immediately slammed as one of the worst in NBA history.
Doncic, now with the Lakers, has thrived alongside LeBron James, averaging 22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while leading Los Angeles to the second seed in the West.
Harrison, convinced that Luka’s weight and conditioning issues would be a long-term problem, sent him to a franchise known for elite conditioning. The move defies logic and has left Dallas in complete disarray.
2025 – Quentin Grimes: The Sharpshooter That Got Away
Trade Details:
- Dallas Mavericks Received: Caleb Martin
- Philadelphia 76ers Received: Quentin Grimes, 2025 Second-Round Pick
Harrison once again prioritized an injury-prone veteran over a promising young player, trading away Quentin Grimes for Caleb Martin.
Grimes, who had shown flashes of two-way potential, recently exploded for a career-high 44 points against the Warriors—precisely the kind of scoring punch the Mavs need now. Meanwhile, Martin has struggled with injuries, playing just 31 games this season.
A team desperate for perimeter scoring let go of one of its best young shooters, further highlighting Harrison’s poor long-term planning.
Final Verdict: A Legacy of Failure
From losing Brunson for nothing to making short-sighted trades, Nico Harrison’s tenure as Mavericks GM has been disastrous. The Luka trade alone will haunt Dallas for years, but combined with a series of other costly mistakes, it cements his reputation as possibly the worst GM in NBA history.
