The burden boy is playing another playoff, whereas the team he took to the finals last season is now resting with popcorn. A lot might blame trading away Luka as a mistake, and the reason it is hard to find someone with even 1% of empathy for Nico Harrison right now. It seems like the entirety of Dallas wants his head on a stick. And you can’t blame them either. He’s been under a lot of scrutiny for trading someone who could give 27 points per game from the Mavericks, only to get an injured Davis, and it went almost to the point that reporters, too, were questioning his ability as a GM. But one man in the NBA has come out in support of Nico, someone you’d never expect in the first place. You would’ve heard of him- it’s Warriors center, Draymond Green.
Nico’s first public presser since the trade was one to watch. He was catching strays left, right, and center. And not just by the fans in the comments, but also the reporters in the room. One even asked him why he shouldn’t be fired. That, for Draymond, was the final straw. While all the heat was justified to an extent, this crossed the line. And he didn’t hold back while talking about it on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.
“That’s crazy to ask somebody. You should ask the reporter- why shouldn’t you be fired? Why, like, you don’t ask somebody that. I would have pulled up one of the articles to say. You know those reporters that I don’t like? That’s the definition of kicking somebody while they down. And like, why shouldn’t you be fired? Like, what do you mean why shouldn’t I be fired? Like, what have you done more than I’ve done that you shouldn’t be fired? Right. That’s why. Stop. That’s clownish. Let Nico live in his peace, man,” said Green.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Even as a fan, you can’t see how that’s justified. If Patrick Dumond agrees with Nico’s vision, surely the Mavericks fans shouldn’t have a problem, right? They have no other option. It’s not like Luka is going to come back. What’s more important is to focus on their future. And Draymond knows- with a 100% fit Kyrie Irving, the Mavs will be mack where they belong. “When Kyrie get back and they get 100% healthy, they gonna be a force to reckon with.”
But here’s one man who’s part of the deal has gone under the radar. And that’s Anthony Davis. You tend to forget that AD left after 6 years as the Lakers’ starting center- even winning them a championship in 2020. For us to forget is forgivable. But for Nico Harrison to do the same? Unjustified.
Nico Harrison should focus on Anthony Davis and not Luka Doncic, says Draymond Green
Honestly, Davis moving to the Mavs alone would’ve made the headlines for the rest of the season. It’s just unfortunate that his move was overshadowed by the Nico Harrison-Luka Doncic fallout. So Dray’s advice to Nico is this- forget about the past. It’s the best way to move on. And that starts with his press conferences. Instead of keeping the Don’s conversations flowing, double down on a positive future with Anthony Davis in the squad.
“I think my advice would be like about four weeks ago, he should have made that his last time talking about Luka and everything else from that point on should just be Luka Doncic’s had what he did for this franchise was great. But we have players here that we need to focus on and it’s disrespectful to them to not focus on [Davis]. And that should have just been his answer four weeks ago and shut everybody up. You know, I love Nico, but he’s kind of kept saying things and it’s just keeping the story running,” said Green on the show.
Apr 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
This season was a disaster for the Mavs. There’s no doubt about it. But you can’t blame Nico Harrison for it all. If his leaving alone caused such a fallout, it speaks about deeper internal issues. Anthony Davis coming into the team will boost their squad, no doubt. So Draymond Green does the right thing- giving AD credit where it’s due.
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