Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has faced death threats following the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, this troubling development has forced the Mavericks to increase security for their upcoming home game, the first since the major trade.
“This is a heartbroken fanbase, and there have been some very unfortunate developments regarding that anger,” MacMahon stated on NBA Today on Feb. 7. “Nico Harrison has been subjected to death threats. There have been racial epithets included in some of those.”
MacMahon further noted, “Security’s going to be beefed up. There will be protests outside the arena early. Those are planned. Security will absolutely be beefed up. Nico Harrison is not going to be in his normal seat in the stands. There’s no reason to subject him to that kind of a security risk.”
In an unexpected trade last week, the Mavericks sent Dončić, a five-time All-Star, to the Lakers in exchange for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Despite the anger from fans, MacMahon acknowledged, “The fans have every right to feel like they got a generational superstar ripped away from them—but clearly, lines have been crossed.”
Luka Dončić-Mavericks Fallout: Harrison’s Rationale and Saša Dončić’s Criticism
Harrison was vague about his reasons for trading Dončić, but hinted that the player was no longer seen as a cultural fit for the team. “There are people that fit the culture and there are people that come in and add to the culture,” Harrison explained. “I believe the people that are coming in are adding to the culture.”
Saša Dončić, Luka’s father, expressed his disappointment in an interview with Arena Sport Slovenija on Feb. 2, criticizing the Mavericks for their handling of the situation. “This secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally,” Saša remarked.
Harrison shared that Dončić didn’t return his call after the trade. “My guess is he probably doesn’t want to talk to me,” Harrison said.
Saša Dončić defended his son, calling the trade unfair, and addressed rumors about Luka’s conditioning. “It wasn’t even a problem last year… you trade him, stand by your actions but don’t look for excuses or alibis, that’s it,” he said.
The fallout from the trade has continued to stir tensions within the Mavericks’ fanbase and the Dončić family.
