NBA common managers often don’t consider their very own trades primarily based on the response of opposing followers, nevertheless it’s simple to surprise if Mavericks GM Nico Harrison might need been having not less than just a few second ideas as he attended his staff’s first recreation towards the star he exiled to Los Angeles, Luka Doncic, on Tuesday evening.
And Doncic, who was screaming in his ex-team’s path after practically each basket, wasn’t the one individual within the constructing letting the Mavericks understand how they felt concerning the deal. In excellent news for Harrison, the opposite reactions he was getting have been far more optimistic. 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 staff’s tunnel have been showering Harrison with cheers for handing them a 25-year-old famous person who has reopened L.A.’s title window each now and sooner or later…
Lakers followers to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison as he walked by means of 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 have 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 intense aspect, it is 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… for those who make a commerce that has the opposite staff’s followers treating you want a heroic double agent of their dwelling area… nicely, you would possibly need to on the very least begin updating your LinkedIn web page in order that perhaps their staff can rent you once you grow to be accessible. One thing that will occur sooner fairly than later if the Lakers and Mavs maintain trending of their present instructions.
