This time last year, one could argue that Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was one of the best executives in the NBA. Now, he is the most reviled man in the industry. Harrison moved down to select impactful rim-protector Dereck Lively II in the 2023 NBA Draft, acquired P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline and watched Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving capture magic in their first full season together. The Mavs went to the NBA Finals, and after they lost in five games, Harrison signed Klay Thompson as a potential missing piece to a championship team. He was pushing all the right buttons, positioning the Mavericks well in both the short and long term. Few people are talking about these indisputable achievements in the present, however, and that will probably remain the case decades from now. Barring a dramatic turnaround, assuming he gets the opportunity to attempt a turnaround, Harrison’s tenure will be defined by one move and one man. The unprecedented Luka Doncic trade demoralized the city and fan base and is already having negative consequences on the team. Initially valid concerns about his health have been invalidated, as Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, two of the more injury-prone stars in the league, each missed significant stretches of time– Irving tore his ACL and still has a long recovery ahead. Other valuable contributors like Gafford and Lively were also out a while, leaving the squad depleted down the stretch. The nightmare officially ended for the Mavericks players on Friday night, following a 120-106 loss to the home-team Memphis Grizzlies. But Harrison’s anguish is far from over. After a horribly received closed-door session with select media members, he will now field questions in public. Will the Mavericks GM change his tune even slightly? Petre Thomas-Imagn Images “Nico Harrison will speak to reporters on Monday afternoon,” ClutchPoints reporter Joey Mistretta posted on X. He better get himself composed over the weekend, because this could get rough. Harrison insists that Luka Doncic’s well-documented defensive shortcomings, which were on display in the Finals versus the Boston Celtics, is why the Mavs sought to move the generational talent and acquire fellow star Anthony Davis. The five-time First-Team All-NBA selection’s physical fitness and durability have also come under fire in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade. However, many fans suspect a personal gripe resulted in the stunning deal. Doncic says he has not spoken to Harrison since learning of the news from his manager. What bothers people most, as four-time champion exec Bob Myers notes, is that Dallas did not receive multiple future first-round picks for the elite point guard. Frustration would still be palpable, but the basketball reasoning behind such a move could have possibly shined through a bit more. To be sure, Davis is an undeniable difference-maker on both ends of the floor and Max Christie is a promising addition to the supporting cast. The Mavs’ championship window is now frighteningly thin, though. Harrison’s gamble is proving disastrous so far, and there may not be an end in sight. Hence, people demand accountability. Whether or not fans get the answers they want, Nico Harrison will face the music on Monday.