The Dallas Mavericks are set to make a major front office change, with general manager Nico Harrison expected to be fired during a Tuesday morning meeting with owner Patrick Dumont. This decision comes after a promising offseason dream that failed to translate into reality. The team had a disappointing 3-8 start to the season, resulting in growing unrest among fans and a loss of confidence within the Mavs’ top office.

Nico Harrison’s dismissal follows nine months after the organization’s bold trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. That blockbuster move has been widely criticized by North Texas residents and is now believed to be a key factor in the leadership change. Team owner Patrick Dumont has taken personal accountability for the trade, admitting it was a mistake during a recent courtside interaction with a fan.

Despite acquiring Anthony Davis and drafting Cooper Flagg first overall, the team has struggled to find consistency. Their defensive efficiency ranks near the bottom of the Western Conference, highlighting ongoing roster construction issues under Harrison’s management, even though star player Kyrie Irving remains out.

Internal discussions among the Mavericks’ ownership identified three primary reasons for making a change.

1. Leadership determined the franchise needed a new direction and a makeover in image. They have also hired and created a new position, ‘chief communication officer’. All such moves hint that the Mavs front office is desperate to shift the talks from Doncic days.

2. Growing belief that the executive who orchestrated the Doncic trade shouldn’t guide the post-Doncic era, as the team has failed to see any positives from the move. This perspective made Harrison’s position increasingly untenable.

3. Fan dissatisfaction has reached unprecedented levels, with continuous vocal criticism during home games. Marc Stein reported that “The rising and virtually ceaseless negativity that surrounds the franchise is indeed wearing on and troubling ownership.” This environment created pressure for immediate organizational changes.

Harrison’s tenure began promisingly in 2021 after his hiring from Nike. He helped guide the Mavericks to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, earning a contract extension in June 2024. However, the Doncic trade ultimately overshadowed these achievements and defined his final chapter with the organization.

Who comes next in place of Nico Harrison?

Assistant general manager Michael Finley is expected to take over on an interim basis following Harrison’s departure. Finley, a former Mavericks player and VP of basketball operations at the Dallas Mavericks, brings familiarity with the organization and will provide stability during the transition period. Besides Finley, Assistant GM Matt Riccardi is also promoted to look after the roles and responsibilities once held by Nico. The team plans to conduct a thorough search for a permanent replacement.

The timing of this decision reflects the urgency to protect the development of rookie Cooper Flagg. The top draft pick has shown promising flashes but has been playing out of position at point guard due to roster imbalances. Ensuring proper support around their young cornerstone became a priority for ownership.

This front office change continues a trend of leadership shakeups across Dallas professional sports. Recent months have seen coaching changes with the Dallas Stars, Dallas Wings, and Dallas Cowboys, plus the Texas Rangers parting ways with manager Bruce Bochy. The Mavericks now join this pattern of organizational restructuring.

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The Mavericks return to action Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns, hoping to turn the page on a turbulent period. With Harrison’s departure, the organization aims to rebuild trust with its fanbase and create a fresh start after one of the most challenging years in franchise history.