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The Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday fired general manager Nico Harrison, who is known for the infamous Luka Doncic trade.
Harrison stunningly traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, and the team has struggled without him, leading to his firing. Doncic responded to Harrison’s firing on Wednesday.
“The City of Dallas, the fans, the players, they always have a special place in my heart. I thought I would stay there forever, but I didn’t,” Doncic told reporters after the team’s 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Nov. 8, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
“They will always be a special place to me. I can always call it home. But right now I’m focused on the Lakers and trying to move forward.”
The 26-year-old was then asked if he could ever see himself playing for the Mavericks again now that Harrison is out of the picture.
“Right now I’m just focused on the Lakers. No further comment,” Doncic said.
MAVERICKS GENERAL MANAGER FOUR MONTHS AFTER FAMOUS LUKA DONCIC TRADE
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Nov. 12, 2025. (Nate Billings/AP Photo)
Doncic signed a three-year, $161 million contract extension with the Lakers last offseason. He has a player option for the 2028-2029 season, the final year of his contract.
The star point guard led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2023-2024, but despite his success, they traded him away midseason last year.
After trading Doncic last season, the Mavericks fell out of the playoff picture and barely snuck into the Play-In Tournament, where they were eliminated. They became the first team since 2019-2020 to miss the playoffs the year after reaching the NBA Finals.
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Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison looks on before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on Oct. 6, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The five-time All-Star has averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists in eight games this season. The Mavericks have struggled this season, going 3-9 despite landing Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Doncic and the Lakers (8-4) look to bounce back from their loss when they face the New Orleans Pelicans (2-9) in the NBA Cup on Friday at 20 A.M.
