“Nico’s guys”: NBA insider gives latest bombshell update on why Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks was a shockwave and the ripple effect of it still shaking the NBA world. Was it the best of time or was it the worst of time? Certainly, the Lakers are visibly enjoying the aftermath of the deal as acquiring Doncic proved to be a huge success. But for the Mavericks? Not so much and intense criticism tagged along with their struggling lineup. Amid the team’s struggle, NBA insider Tim MacMahon gives a bombshell update on why Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Doncic— he’s not one of the “Nico guys.”

Nearly two months have passed since one of the most unexpected trades in NBA history sent shockwaves through the league.
One of the most surprising revelations about this trade came from journalist Tim MacMahon, who recently appeared on DLLS Sports. According to MacMahon, Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison’s long-standing relationship with Anthony Davis played a major role in making the trade happen.
“One massive difference from a ‘why would the Mavs make this trade’ standpoint is Anthony Davis has an extremely tight relationship with Nico Harrison,” MacMahon explained. “…As far as Nike clients that Nico was tight with, Anthony Davis is probably number two on the list in terms of the bond that they had.”
Harrison spent nearly two decades at Nike. His time at the sportswear giant allowed him to build strong relationships with numerous NBA superstars, including Davis and Kyrie Irving. MacMahon further elaborated, saying, “Kyrie Irving was also high on that list. So, you could say these are ‘Nico’s guys’ that he’s brought in with these moves. So, that’s kind of the trend that’s happening here in Dallas.”
The implication here is significant. Doncic was never really viewed as “Nico’s guy” and it may have made it easier for Harrison to pull the trigger on a trade that many viewed as unthinkable.
The Lakers legend Pau Gasol recently shared his thoughts on the deal during an appearance on the Knuckleheads Podcast.
“Obviously, at first, surprised, shocked,” Gasol admitted. “It was hard to kind of digest that that actually happened, that that type of player gets traded at 25 years old. It just doesn’t happen, never happened, might not happen ever again. But it happened for whatever reason.”
“It’s crazy because I’ve known Nico [Harrison, Mavericks GM], I know Rob [Pelinka, Lakers GM] personally for a long time,” he added.
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Doncic is doing fine at the Lakers following his brief adjustment period. He has been hailed by his teammates with constant support, particularly, LeBron James. As for Davis, he has been riddled with injury concerns and sidelined from appearing in the matches which put the Mavs in a tough position to snap out of their struggling days.