Luka Dončić’s sudden trade to the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the basketball world. Why would Dallas move a 25-year-old All-NBA talent months after reaching the Finals? Until recently, the reasoning was murky. Now, Tim MacMahon’s exposé has shed light on the internal strife, placing General Manager Nico Harrison at the center of the controversy. Nico Harrison’s isolated Dončić by firing key staff to micromanage the situation which ended up leading to his eventual exit from the Mavericks.
BOMBSHELL: How Nico Harrison’s Warpath Led To Dončić’s Mavericks Exit
The downfall started in the summer following Dirk Nowitzki’s Hall of Fame induction. Team insiders revealed that Dallas’ internal culture began to erode 18 months before Dončić’s departure. Harrison’s pursuit of full control ignited a series of calculated moves, beginning with a dramatic firing.
Firing a Franchise Pillar
Shortly after returning from Nowitzki’s celebration, Harrison arranged a video call with longtime head athletic trainer Casey Smith. Smith was in Ohio, caring for his dying mother, but Harrison insisted on the meeting. In that call, Harrison dismissed Smith after nearly two decades with the franchise.
Sources said Harrison viewed Smith as “too negative.” Insiders interpreted this as Smith not being enough of a yes-man. One team source explained, “He felt threatened by him. Harrison wanted everyone to know he ran the show.”
This firing marked the beginning of a wide-ranging overhaul. It was quickly followed by the exits of performance director Jeremy Holsopple and therapist Casey Spangler—two respected figures throughout the league. Holsopple was even named the NBA’s Strength Coach of the Year in 2021.
Alienating Dončić
All three men had been instrumental in helping Dončić adjust to life in Dallas. They had earned his trust and built strong personal bonds with the superstar. Their removal appeared to be a strategic move by Harrison to strip Dončić of his inner circle within the franchise.
Dončić’s camp, led by his business manager Bill Duffy and later Jeff Seager, viewed Harrison’s actions as hostile. They believed Harrison treated trusted staff like enablers rather than assets. With their exits, Dončić became increasingly isolated from the organization.
Harrison’s replacements—Johann Bilsborough and Keith Belton—never gained Dončić’s trust. Sources confirmed the superstar found it hard to work with the new staff. The disconnect only deepened.
The Fallout With Dirk and Others
Smith’s firing triggered further departures. Nowitzki stepped away from his advisory role with the Mavericks. A franchise icon, Nowitzki no longer felt aligned with the new direction. Longtime communications VP Scott Tomlin, close to both Nowitzki and Dončić, also left. He now works for Nowitzki’s foundation.
Since Dončić’s trade, Nowitzki and Tomlin have attended only two NBA games—both featuring Dončić with the Lakers. During a podcast in German, Nowitzki noted, “You could already see the team heading in a different direction.”
Dončić’s Health and Performance Plan
Even before the fallout, Dončić and Seager had hired personal performance experts. These included Real Madrid’s Javier Barrio Calvo and Slovenian national team coach Anže Macek. They worked alongside the Mavericks’ staff during Dončić’s MVP-caliber season in 2022–23.
Dončić averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists that season. He led the league in total minutes and dominated the postseason in all major statistical categories. Yet, Harrison remained dissatisfied.
Sources said Harrison focused on Dončić’s weight gain and occasional injuries. He reportedly ignored the superstar’s record-breaking output, choosing instead to highlight minor concerns.
Cuban Sidelined, Trade Triggered
Owner Mark Cuban had long prioritized Dončić’s happiness. He often worked with Seager and kept the superstar involved in major decisions. But with new team governor Patrick Dumont in place, Harrison gained unchecked power and pushed Cuban out of basketball operations.
When Dončić suffered a calf strain before training camp, tensions spiked. He sat out the preseason and gained weight during recovery. Harrison and others grew frustrated. Meanwhile, Dončić’s camp felt the team was painting him in a negative light.
Eventually, Harrison made the bold move. He sent Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. It marked the end of an era and highlighted the cost of Harrison’s quest for absolute control.
A Culture Shift, But At What Cost?
Harrison’s actions reshaped the Mavericks. But his consolidation of power also dismantled a fragile ecosystem built around Dončić. The exits of respected staff, the alienation of franchise legends, and the ousting of an all-time talent all stemmed from a single motivation—control.
Whether Dallas thrives under Harrison’s regime remains to be seen. But the cost of that control has already changed the franchise forever.
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