NBA General Manager The usual Don't rate your deals based on the reactions of your opponent's fans. But it's easy to wonder if Mavericks GM Nico Harrison had at least some thoughts as he attended the team's first game with the star who ousted him to Los Angeles, Luka Donsic , Tuesday night.
And Donsic, who screamed in the direction of the former team after almost every basketball, was not the only person in the building. The good news for Harrison is that the other responses he got were far more positive. In the bad news, that positivity was really ironic, ocking thank you Lakers Fans who signed a contract that seemed destined the moment it happened, one of the worst deals in NBA history.
Melissa Rohlin's pregame from Fox Sports was when Lakers fans near the team's tunnel cheered Harrison to hand over the 25-year-old superstar who reopened the LA title window both now and in the future. I reported that they were cheering…
Lakers fans were walking down the tunnel to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. “Good trade, Nico! We love you, Nico!”
– Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) February 26, 2025
…But veteran NBA freelance journalist Mark Medina posted that Lakers fans still appreciate Harrison as Donsic scored 12 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. It didn't stop there. first half:
During the timeout, a handful of Laker fans are screaming, “Thank you Nico!! Thank you Nico!!!”
– Mark Medina (@markg_medina) February 26, 2025
On the bright side, this is a much warmer reception for Harrison than he's receiving from Mavericks fans he protested. Both are outside And inside While he seeks to be fired in the aftermath of the trade, arena He made him number one public enemy In Dallas. So, at least he doesn't have to throw it away because no one is mean. This is probably an improvement.
But again…if you make a deal where fans of other teams treat you like a heroic double agent in their home arena…If the team is available, the team will be able to do it You can hire them. If the Lakers and Mavs continue to trend towards the current direction, this could happen earlier than later.
