According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, Mavericks’ Nico Harrison’s decision to trade out superstar Luca Donsic created a rift with the franchise’s legendary Dark Nowicki.
ESPN now available “The Hoop Collective” podcast On Wednesday, MacMahon explained that, like Mark Cuban, the owner of Nowitzki and Mavericks, was distancing himself from the organization following Harrison’s comments at an invitation-only media roundtable held in Dallas on Tuesday.
“First of all, Dark is completely off by this franchise,” said McMahon, who attended the press conference. “…I asked, “Hey, why not ask for dark input?” [Mark] Cuba input?
“He basically said, ‘If they weren’t in the building, you don’t know what’s going on.”
“Because of why Dark isn’t in the building and why Cuba isn’t in the building, Nico confirmed that after that deal was made he was kicked out of basketball operations.”
Cuba sold a majority stake in the Mavericks in November 2023.
Last June, McMahon reported that Cuban no longer controls basketball operations and that his role had diminished.
Cuba, which has a close relationship with Doncic and Nowitzki, is a regular in the Mavericks game.
Nowitzki recently attended a Mavericks-Lakers match on April 9th.
Disgruntled Mavericks fans expressed disappointment in February at Harrison’s decision to trade All-Neva Guard Don Sic for the Lakers for Anthony Davis.
It’s only been one season after Donsic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and played at MVP level.
Following the bang for Doncic and Davis blindly said, Mavericks fans booed Harrison in the game and petitioned him to be fired.
“In Dallas, this is only dark and worse,” McMahon said.
At a press conference Tuesday, Harrison reiterated his stance that the defense had won the championship and said he had no regrets about Donsic’s trade.
“My duty is to the Dallas Mavericks. That’s the Dallas Mavericks’ biggest concern, and that’s the most important thing,” Harrison said. “Some of these decisions will probably not be popular with Dark or fans, but my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks.”
Cuba challenged X to defend the Nowicski and Mavericks fan base ahead of the team’s NBA play-in tournament game with the Kings on Wednesday.
“The Dark is the Dallas Mavericks,” Cuba writes. “Then now, and forever. No one should forget that. The statue is here forever. Loyalty will never go away.
“…I’m a Mavs fan. I’ll always love and cheer for everyone who wears our uniforms. Whether I’m in the stands or not, in front of TV or in all games of the future, my heart and soul are committed to cheering for Mavs to win.
“That will never change. I know the fans are upset, but don’t get upset with the players. I’ll support them.
The Mavericks will play the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday, earning a playoff spot after Dallas beat 120-106.
