Mavericks GM getting death threats in wake of Luka trade: ‘Lines have been crossed’
The most shocking trade in NBA history is still having ripple effects in the community less than a week later.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison undoubtedly hopes that isn’t the case for much longer, but for now, he might be preoccupied with things well beyond basketball — like his livelihood.
Since stunningly trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers early Sunday morning, Harrison has been on the receiving end of death threats by Mavericks fans, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported.
“Nico Harrison has been subjected to death threats,” McMahon noted ahead of the team’s Saturday home game at 3 p.m. against the Rockets.
Saturday will be the Mavericks’ first home game since Jan. 27, several days before the Doncic trade, which returned Anthony Davis, among others, to Dallas from Los Angeles.
“There have been racial epithets included in some of those, security is going to be beefed up. There will be protests outside, or at least those are planned,” McMahon added of the expected scene in Dallas this weekend.
McMahon later added that Harrison is unlikely to be in his usual seat to watch the game.
Harrison typically sits in the crowd in the third row at American Airlines Center.
ESPN also reported that Harrison now has full-time security protecting his home.
Harrison, 52, was named Mavs GM in 2021 and helped put together a team that reached the 2024 NBA Finals after reaching the Western Conference Finals two years prior.
The Mavericks are 27-25 this season, eighth in the Western Conference.
Davis is expected to debut with the team on Saturday.
