It wasn’t just Dirk Nowitzki who bristled at the Mavericks’ controversial Luka Dončić trade, the fans unleashed the kind of fury no GM or owner wants to face. Dallas essentially signed its own fate when it sent away Dončić, a figure as iconic to the city as Kobe Bryant is to Los Angeles. But in the NBA, it’s always business. The bold banner “In Nico We Trust” hung over owner Patrick Dumont as he watched the deal unfold, handing Luka to the Lakers, a move that still casts a shadow over the front office, especially as a Luka-less Mavericks squad limps through a 3-7 start to the season.

Dallas beat writer Ron Harrod Jr. shared some insight into the fan reaction, reporting, “The kid’s name is Nicholas Dickason,” who was spotted sitting next to Patrick Dumont during the Mavericks’ game against the Bucks, wearing Doncic’s No. 77 Lakers jersey. Harrod added, “He [the kid] said he flipped off Dumont during the Mavericks’ opening night loss to the Spurs. So, his dad told him to apologize.” The kid said, “I was pretty angered by the trade, so I bought the Lakers jersey as a kind of show my opinion on the trade.”

By all appearances, Dumont seemed to take the young fan’s frustration in stride, recognizing the mix of love and anger behind his actions, even if it wasn’t the most appropriate way to express it. Still, Dallas fans have been vocal ever since the Luka trade, and their disappointment hasn’t faded.

The Mavericks’ front office reportedly parted ways with Dončić because they believed his conditioning on defense was limiting the team’s success. Concerns over recurring weight issues, which often led to injuries like the calf strain on Christmas Day against the Timberwolves, added to the frustration. Ironically, the same challenge seems to have followed Anthony Davis, the player acquired to replace Luka, as he missed his sixth straight game this week.

Dallas fans were even more upset when they realized how little the Mavericks got for a superstar like Luka Dončić. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka expertly navigated the negotiations, convincing Dallas GM Nico Harrison to accept far less than initially expected. Early reports suggested the Lakers were willing to include two first-round picks and rookie Dalton Knecht, but Pelinka steadily persuaded Harrison to settle for a much smaller return.

Pelinka’s pitch focused on portraying Luka as a long-term concern, pointing to his recurring weight struggles, injury history, and off-court issues. Piece by piece, he wore down Dallas’ demands, and ultimately, the trade sent Luka to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, with the Lakers still holding onto their 2031 first-round selection.

And so, the brunt of the fans’ frustration landed squarely on Nico Harrison, a sentiment that, it seems, is now mutual.

Nico Harrison faces backlash after Doncic trade

Before the Lakers faced the Pelicans, Dallas GM Nico Harrison was doing a usual pregame ritual, signing autographs for fans. But Full Court Pass captured a surprising moment, noting, “Nico Harrison signed autographs for Mavs fans. He SKIPPED the kid wearing a Luka Doncic jersey 😭.” Dozens of fans had gathered hoping for a signature or a quick photo, but the young Luka supporter was left out, making the moment both awkward and telling.

The snub wasn’t entirely shocking. Earlier this year, Mavericks fans made it clear how furious they were with Harrison after the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Fans mourned the loss in dramatic fashion, some even held a mock funeral outside the arena, and chants of “Fire Nico” echoed through home games. A custom-made “Fire Nico” jersey, signed by Dončić himself, even went up for auction, showing just how personal the backlash had become.

Even Luka expressed his disappointment in the aftermath. Speaking to ESPN, he said, “It’s just sad the way he’s talking right now. I never say anything bad about him, and I just want to move on. The fans, my ex-teammates, I’ll always keep at heart. It’s time for me to move on from there.” The tension hasn’t faded, and it’s led to serious discussions about Harrison’s future. Tim MacMahon noted on Hoop Collective, “At this point, I believe it is a matter of when, not if, Nico Harrison will be fired. There is a very, very strong likelihood that will be midseason.”

Even Marc Stein has reported rumors that Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont could be pressured to let Harrison go as the team struggles. The numbers tell part of the story: Dallas currently ranks last in offensive rating, while the Lakers, now with Luka, are among the league’s best. The difference, critics argue, is obvious: Luka Doncic.