Just hours after being dismissed as General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks, Nico Harrison made a brutally honest update to his social media profile, informing the world of his new employment status.
A Swift and Public Reaction
The 52-year-old executive was fired on Tuesday after four years at the helm, a decision confirmed by team owner Patrick Dumont. Dumont stated the move was 'critical to moving our franchise forward in a positive direction.'
Harrison's tenure had been under intense scrutiny, particularly since the franchise's controversial decision to trade superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers earlier this year. The pressure culminated with the Mavericks' disastrous 3-8 start to the current NBA season.
The Backlash and the Bio
On the very day his dismissal was announced, eagle-eyed basketball fans spotted that Harrison had wasted no time in adding the word 'unemployed' to his Instagram bio. This self-deprecating move quickly garnered sympathy and attention across the NBA community.
On the social media platform X, one user commented, 'someone get my boy on LinkedIn', while another praised his attitude, writing, 'Being able to laugh at yourself is one of the good gifts a person can have.' The sentiment was echoed by others who simply labelled the act as 'Savage.'
A Legacy Defined by a Blockbuster Trade
The core of the criticism Harrison faced stemmed from the shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
At the time of the February trade, Harrison was bullish, stating, 'We're built to win now and in the future.' However, the move stunned fans and Doncic alike.
By June, the Mavericks had landed former Duke star Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, but it wasn't enough to save Harrison's job less than five months later. Meanwhile, Doncic has thrived in Los Angeles, helping the Lakers to a strong 8-3 start to the season.
Facing relentless backlash a few months prior, Harrison had defended his record, pointing to injuries and asking to be judged on the 'totality' of his work. He expressed confidence in his relationship with the leadership and predicted the team would be 'competing for a championship' the following year.
According to ESPN, assistant GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will now take over basketball operations on an interim basis.
