The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, marking the finish of a turbulent tenure outlined by daring strikes, fan unrest, and a season that spiraled after the controversial Luka Dončić trade.
For a lot of the fan base, the choice introduced reduction – however not essentially satisfaction.
Matthew Slovak, a long-time Mavs fan, said the move felt inevitable.
“Still apathetic about the team. Every Mavs fan knew the moment the trade happened that Nico would eventually be fired,” he mentioned. “This still does not change that (owner Patrick) Dumont knows nothing about basketball. … Unless they bring Dirk (Nowitski, a franchise legend) back into the fold with an official position, preferably general manager, I will have no faith in Dumont or who he hires to make good decisions.”
Slovak’s frustration runs deeper than Harrison’s front-office file. He blamed possession – the Dumonts and the Adelsons — for what he sees as a sequence of tone-deaf selections that alienated fans.
“It’s close to impossible to root for an organization that they own,” he mentioned, including that the only factor preserving him invested is the potential of phenom Cooper Flagg.
Hope and heartbreak
For Skylar Alcala, who adored Dončić when he performed on the Mavs, the firing introduced an emotional mixture of reduction and lingering ache.
“First initial reaction, THANK THE LORD!” she mentioned. “With how the Mavs have started this season, I’m glad Dumont realized that what Nico did to this team was detrimental.”
Still, Alcala mentioned the injury runs deep.
“The way I feel about the Mavs now is still heartbreak. … There’s definitely a slight weight lifted off my shoulders knowing Nico is gone, but the Mavs organization has a-ways to go to build back trust,” she added.
And the Dončić commerce nonetheless stings: “The hardest part in all of this is seeing Luka dominate for the Lakers while we watch and wish every day for him to be back in a Mavs uniform.”
An opportunity to heal – and rebuild
John Tarrant – who, regardless of the Dončić commerce, continued to cheer for the staff and brings his sons to video games – referred to as the transfer lengthy overdue.
“It’s about time. The only person upset is Jerry Jones because he’s no longer the second-worst respected GM in DFW,” he quipped. “This organization and fan base needs to heal, and this is a first step.”
Tarrant mentioned fans are prepared to maneuver ahead and construct round younger star Flagg.
“Next steps need to happen. Anyone associated with Harrison’s tenure – including Anthony Davis – needs to be moved. Let’s rebuild this from the ground up around Flagg,” he mentioned.
Still, he couldn’t cover his frustration at the commerce that outlined Harrison’s downfall.
“To trade a 25-year-old superstar for an injury-prone, aging veteran who has only played 14 of 46 games still makes zero sense,” Tarrant mentioned. “Can Cuban buy back the team?”
The firing of Harrison might shut one painful chapter, however the Mavericks’ entrance workplace faces immense strain to get the subsequent one proper. Fans have made it clear: firing Harrison was a begin – not an answer.
As Slovak put it, “It’s not impossible to salvage the situation, but there’s been no indication over the last year that leadership is capable of making the decisions required to bring back the fans.”