Lead: The Dallas Mavericks faced the immediate fallout of a front-office shakeup this week after general manager Nico Harrison was dismissed by Patrick Dumont, the franchise’s representative to the NBA Board of Governors. Coach Jason Kidd and the team arrived in Phoenix on Wednesday night seeking to move past fan unrest that boiled over during Monday’s 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a defeat that left Dallas 3-8 on the season. The firing came hours after audible chants of “Fire Nico!” at American Airlines Center, and the Mavericks named Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi co-interim general managers to oversee basketball operations.
- The Mavericks fell to 3-8 after a 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a game that featured multiple “Fire Nico!” chants from the home crowd.
- Nico Harrison was removed Tuesday by Patrick Dumont, the franchise representative to the NBA Board of Governors; the move followed fan backlash over a Feb. 2 three-team trade involving Luka Dončić.
- The Feb. 2 trade sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal highlighted by Anthony Davis; Davis, 32 and a 10-time All-Star, has missed 30 of 46 games since joining Dallas, including the last seven with a strained left calf.
- Jason Kidd, who received a multi-year contract extension over the summer, said his focus remains preparing the team despite the organizational change.
- Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi were named co-interim general managers to run day-to-day basketball operations while the franchise determines next steps.
- P.J. Washington said he perceived a diminished home advantage during Monday’s loss; Washington’s connection to Harrison dates back to Harrison’s time at Nike and high-school recruiting.
Background
The controversy stems from a high-profile three-team trade executed on Feb. 2 that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to Dallas. The package and its aftermath quickly became a focal point for fans and media, especially as Davis has been sidelined for a large portion of his time in Dallas due to injury. Harrison, who served as the architect of that deal and who helped assemble the current roster, came under intense criticism from supporters almost immediately after the trade.
Jason Kidd, hired under Harrison’s personnel regime, earned a multi-year extension this past summer and entered the season with the expectation of stability. Instead, a string of losses and visible fan discontent transformed the environment at American Airlines Center, where chants against the GM echoed during late-game free throws. The Mavericks’ ownership and governance structure required franchise representative Patrick Dumont to act; his decision to relieve Harrison of his duties signals a new chapter in the franchise’s operations.
Main Event
Monday’s loss to Milwaukee crystallized the tension. The Bucks rallied from a 13-point deficit to win 116-114, and disruptive chants emerged as Dallas attempted to close out the game. With 1.2 seconds left, P.J. Washington missed a crucial free throw that left the Mavericks trailing by two, then an intentional third free throw was contested and recovered by Milwaukee, sealing the outcome. The crowd’s repeated “Fire Nico!” calls underscored the growing rift between frustrated supporters and the front office.
Early Tuesday morning, Patrick Dumont announced Harrison’s firing, citing the need to stabilize the organization and restore focus on the court. The Mavericks simultaneously elevated former player and executive Michael Finley and front-office staffer Matt Riccardi to co-interim general manager roles to manage basketball operations while the club evaluates long-term leadership. The team confirmed that day-to-day coaching responsibilities remain with Kidd and that roster decisions will be coordinated with the interim executives.
Coach Kidd addressed the change directly, noting the difficulty of losing a long-time colleague but emphasizing the team’s obligation to move forward. He said his priority remains preparing players for each contest and attempting to reestablish a true home-court atmosphere. Players such as P.J. Washington, who has personal ties to Harrison from his Nike/high-school recruiting days, acknowledged the emotional toll and the challenge of playing amid constant fan scrutiny.
Analysis & Implications
The removal of Nico Harrison will reshape Dallas’ short-term decision-making. With Finley and Riccardi running operations on an interim basis, the organization will likely focus on damage control: calming a restless fan base, clarifying medical timelines for Anthony Davis, and stabilizing performance on the court. The optics of the firing also signal to other executives and players that ownership is responsive to public and competitive pressures, which can affect recruiting, trade negotiations and agent relations.
In roster terms, Anthony Davis’s absence has been central to the Mavericks’ struggles; missing 30 of 46 possible games since the Feb. 2 trade has denied the team consistent availability of its marquee acquisition. If Davis’s calf issue lingers, the franchise faces difficult choices about further moves or short-term lineup adjustments. The coaching staff under Kidd must manage rotations and player minutes while attempting to restore confidence inside the building and translate practice stability into game results.
Longer-term, the search for a permanent general manager will be closely watched across the league. Dallas must balance the desire for a quick fix with the need for a candidate whose vision aligns with ownership and coaching. Any new GM will inherit a roster constructed largely under Harrison, aside from Dwight Powell, and will need to determine whether to double down on the current asset mix or pursue additional trades and roster churn.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Mavericks record after Milwaukee loss | 3-8 |
| Anthony Davis availability since Feb. 2 | Missed 30 of 46 games |
| Trade date sending Dončić to Lakers | Feb. 2 |
The table above highlights the immediate performance and availability metrics most frequently cited by critics and decision-makers. The team’s 3-8 start gives the interim executives limited runway to arrest a slide while maintaining roster flexibility ahead of key calendar dates such as the trade deadline and the stretch run.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Kidd framed the decision as difficult but necessary, stressing his commitment to the players and the games ahead.
“Yesterday was a tough day for everyone. When you spend the last four years with somebody, it’s hard to lose them, but the season continues and we must keep pushing forward.”
Jason Kidd, Mavericks head coach
P.J. Washington described the eerie atmosphere inside the arena and the personal ties that complicated the moment.
“I felt like people weren’t really cheering us on,”
P.J. Washington, forward
Unconfirmed
- That a formal list of external GM candidates has been compiled publicly; the club has not released names or timelines for a permanent hire.
- Any immediate trade plans tied to Anthony Davis’s health status remain speculative until the team provides an updated medical timeline.
Bottom Line
The Mavericks’ dismissal of Nico Harrison is a clear attempt to reset amid fan unrest, injuries to a marquee acquisition, and an uneven start to the season. Appointing Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim general managers buys the franchise time to stabilize operations while it assesses long-term leadership options. For Jason Kidd and the players, the priority is to restore competitive focus, improve home-court energy, and get better health and consistency from the roster—particularly regarding Anthony Davis’s availability.
How ownership approaches the permanent GM search will signal Dallas’s strategic direction: whether to maintain continuity around the current roster and coaching staff or to pursue a more radical rebuild. In the short term, results on the court and clearer medical updates will determine whether the move calms the arena or intensifies scrutiny in the weeks ahead.