In a move that continues to ripple through the Dallas Mavericks organization and its loyal fanbase, general manager Nico Harrison sparked further backlash this week by downplaying the role of franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki and refusing to acknowledge fan outrage over the Luka Doncic trade. Speaking during a highly selective and private “roundtable discussion” on Tuesday, Harrison addressed recent team decisions, but it was his comments regarding Nowitzki and loyalty that drew the most criticism.
Harrison and Mavericks CEO Rick Welts hosted a closed-door media gathering to explain the front office’s rationale for trading their franchise cornerstone.
The Hall of Famer, who spent his entire 21-year NBA career in Dallas and brought the team its only championship in 2011, has been noticeably disconnected from the franchise following Mark Cuban’s sale of the team.
Loyalty dismissed, criticism grows louder in Dallas
The statue of Nowitzki that stands outside the American Airlines Center features the words “Loyalty never fades away.” But according to Harrison, that sentiment doesn’t apply to the business of basketball decisions.
“My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks, it’s what’s the best interest of the Dallas Mavericks, and that’s the most important thing,” Harrison said. “Some of those decisions are going to be unpopular maybe to Dirk and maybe to the fans, but my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks.”
That statement struck a nerve with many, especially given Nowitzki’s public disagreement with the Luka Doncic trade. Nowitzki had made it clear that he was not in favor of the move and has since maintained distance from the franchise he helped elevate to national prominence.
Many fans and local commentators see Harrison’s refusal to value Nowitzki‘s opinion as emblematic of a larger disconnect between the current leadership and the Mavericks’ historic identity.
The roundtable itself has also drawn scrutiny. Rather than holding a formal press conference open to all members of the media, Harrison and Welts opted for an invitation-only event, raising concerns about transparency and public accountability. No video or audio was made available from the event, leaving fans reliant on secondhand quotes.
For a franchise that once wore “MFFL” (Mavs Fan For Life) as a badge of honor, the sentiment now feels hollow. With Doncic gone and Nowitzki alienated, longtime supporters are questioning whether the team’s leadership still reflects the values that once made the Mavericks beloved in Dallas and respected throughout the league.
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