NBA normal managers often don’t consider their very own trades based mostly on the response of opposing followers, nevertheless it’s straightforward to surprise if Mavericks GM Nico Harrison might need been having not less than just a few second ideas as he attended his workforce’s first sport in opposition to the star he exiled to Los Angeles, Luka Doncic, on Tuesday evening.
And Doncic, who was screaming in his ex-team’s course after practically each basket, wasn’t the one particular person within the constructing letting the Mavericks know the way they felt in regards to the deal. In excellent news for Harrison, the opposite reactions he was getting had been way more constructive. In unhealthy information, that positivity was actually simply sarcastic, mocking thank yous from Lakers followers for making a deal that appeared doomed to go down as one of many worst trades in NBA historical past the second it occurred.
Pregame, Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports activities reported that Lakers followers close to the workforce’s tunnel had been showering Harrison with cheers for handing them a 25-year-old celebrity who has reopened L.A.’s title window each now and sooner or later…
Lakers followers to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison as he walked via the tunnel: “Good commerce, Nico! We love you, Nico!”
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) February 26, 2025
…nevertheless it didn’t cease there, as veteran NBA freelance journalist Mark Medina posted that Lakers followers had been nonetheless thanking Harrison as Doncic went for 12 factors, 12 rebounds and seven assists within the first half:
Throughout timeout, a handful of Laker followers are yelling out, “Thanks Nico!! Thanks Nico!!”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 26, 2025
On the brilliant facet, this can be a a lot hotter reception for Harrison than he’s receiving from Mavericks followers, who’ve protested each outdoors and inside the sector whereas calling for him to be fired within the aftermath of the commerce that made him public enemy No. 1 in Dallas. So not less than he’s not having to get anybody thrown out for being imply, which might be an enchancment.
Nonetheless, once more… if you happen to make a commerce that has the opposite workforce’s followers treating you want a heroic double agent of their house area… effectively, you would possibly wish to on the very least begin updating your LinkedIn web page in order that perhaps their workforce can rent you once you turn into out there. One thing which will occur sooner somewhat than later if the Lakers and Mavs hold trending of their present instructions.
