By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nico Harrison, the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, was fired on Tuesday. Pending a search for a permanent replacement, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi were appointed as co-interim general managers to oversee basketball operations.
Earlier, the news was reported by Marc Stein and ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon.
Harrison, 52, was on the receiving on of constant “Fire Nico” chants over recent months, since completing a blockbuster trade sending Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, which naturally overshadowed previous deals to build a solid roster and help the Mavs reach the 2024 NBA Finals Presented By YouTube TV.
In 2021, Harrison was appointed as the general manager and president of basketball operations, succeeding Donnie Nelson. Between 1996 and 2001, he previously pursued a professional basketball career overseas, taking his talents to Belgium, Japan, and Lebanon, and also played in the short-lived International Basketball Association based in North America, following NCAA spells at Montana State and Army between 1991 and 1996. Working for Nike from 2002 to 2021, he went into leading roles promoting several NBA stars, including Dirk Nowitzki.
After more questionable roster decisions, falling well shy of the unprecedented controversy created by the deal concerning Doncic, the Mavericks, which have been dealing with several injuries as well, started the 2025-26 Regular Season with three wins in 11 games, currently one game away from the Play-In zone of the Western Conference.
On the opposite side, the 26-year-old native of Ljubljana is up to 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest over seven appearances, with the Lakers at 8-3 and fourth in the West.