MAVERICKS AT A CROSSROADS! Nico Harrison Faces High-Stakes Decision on Trade Target, With Dallas’ Future Hanging in the Balance
Nico Harrison’s plans to build the Mavericks next season may have been given another warning sign.
Nico Harrison has certainly not made himself a fan favorite. As the GM of the Dallas Mavericks, his popularity is at an all-time low.
Harrison controversially traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. He justified this move by saying Davis would help the Mavericks win a championship in the next few years.
However, that plan fell apart almost instantly, as Davis suffered a serious injury. Things got worse from there, as Kyrie Irving got hurt, thus jeopardizing his future with the Mavericks.
With chants of ‘fire Nico’ ringing across the AAC, Harrison is under serious pressure. And now, one of the big moves he was planning may have been put to rest.
Mavericks trade target Kevin Durant gets injured
On March 30, during a game against the Sacramento Kings, Kevin Durant sustained a potentially serious injury. The All-Star may have rolled his ankle during a play in the game.
He was helped back to the locker room, and didn’t return to the game. There is no word on the prognosis for his injury, as he will stay back in Phoenix to get more tests done.
This injury could hamper the Mavericks’ trade interest in him. Another injury for Durant, who turns 37 this year, might make him even more of a liability than Anthony Davis.
But given Kyrie Irving’s contract situation, making a move for Durant might be the only way to keep Irving happy and get him to re-sign.
Moving for an ageing star with an injury history would be a serious risk, and surely one too many for the Mavs GM to take. Harrison must step away from this potential deal and focus attentions elsewhere.
Harrison feeling the pressure
Nico Harrison has been facing a lot of backlash from fans. And recently it has started to get to the rest of the Maverick players.
PJ Washington asked Mavericks fans to show some more respect to the rest of their squad and the GM. Whereas Max Christie seemed to take a more diplomatic approach.
Nico has a long road ahead of him in earning back the trust of fans. And in all honesty, it’s hard to see him sticking around long enough to do that.
With the Mavericks likely to miss the play-in tournament, Harrison’s 4-D chess move has turned out to be the most basic checkers move, one that leads him to a big loss.
