The Dallas Mavericks have fired general manager Nico Harrison, effective immediately, the team announced on Tuesday.
The team appointed Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim general managers while the team searches for a replacement.
In a letter to fans, Mavs owner Patrick Dumont said that no one associated with the organization is happy with the start of what they thought would be “a promising season.”
“When the results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act,” Dumont said. “I’ve made the decision to part ways with General Manager Nico Harrison.”
This comes after uproar over Luka Doncic‘s shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.
The anger from the Mavs fan base following the Doncic trade has been one of the biggest stories since it happened, with protesting fans being ejected from the arena and demonstrations before games. Mavs fans started a movement – chanting “fire Nico” at any opportunity.
Harrison said he knew Doncic was important to the fans, but not to the level that a trade would elicit the reaction it did.
In June, Harrison said he thought drafting No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg would help heal his relationship with fans.
“We’re in a win now mode and Cooper adds to that,” Harrison said at the time.
The Mavs are currently 3-8 and are ranked No. 14, second to last, in the Western Conference.
Anthony Davis remains sidelined with a strained left calf and Dereck Lively II missed Monday night’s game with a right knee sprain.
Harrison’s history with the Mavericks
Harrison signed a multi-year contract with the team last April. It was not made clear how long that contract was for.
Harrison was named general manager of the Mavericks on June 28, 2021, following 19 years at Nike, most recently holding the title of vice president of North American sports marketing. Before that, he played professional basketball in Europe for over six years.
During his time with the Mavericks, the team signed Luka Doncic to a $215 million contract extension. Over the past year, the team drafted Dereck Lively II and traded for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington Jr. – all of whom have been key contributors to the Mavs’ run to the NBA Finals.
Who are Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi?
Finley joined the Mavs’ front office in 2017. While in the Mavs front office, he has held roles including assistant vice president of basketball operations, vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. He’s a 15-season NBA veteran, spanning from 1995 to 2010, and a two-time NBA All-Star. He was a Dallas Maverick from 1996-2005.
Riccardi joined the Mavs organization in August 2022 and was promoted to assistant general manager a year later. Prior to joining the Mavs, he had over a decade of front office experience with the Brooklyn Nets.
