The Dallas Mavericks dismissed Nico Harrison, and the ripple effects are still being felt across the league. His exit came right after Dallas fell to the Milwaukee Bucks on November 10, a loss that pushed the team to a rough 3-8 start.
The Mavericks haven’t gained any traction since the move, stumbling to a 4-11 record and sinking toward the bottom of the Western Conference. The situation has grown shaky enough that a full shift toward Cooper Flagg feels increasingly likely, especially with the chatter around possible Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis trades getting louder.
Jan 23, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Bucks big man Bobby Portis was on the floor for 28 minutes during Nico Harrison’s final game as Mavericks GM, giving him a front-row view of the chaos. He recalled the dramatic 116-114 comeback win and how the entire night carried a strange, uneasy energy.
Chandler Parsons, one of the hosts of FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, asked Portis what he remembered from Nico Harrison’s final game as Mavericks GM.
Portis didn’t hold back. He said the whole night felt wild, noting that Dallas controlled the matchup for most of the way. “It was crazy. Throughout that game the Mavs they were winning the whole game too,” said the Bucks big man.
Bobby Portis on Nico Harrison’s final game
Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Once the Bucks fell behind by 17 in the fourth quarter, Portis said the group huddled up and simply decided it was time to push.
“In the second half we got down 17 points in the fourth quarter and told each other ‘let’s go’. And we locked in, and got the lead down to nine with five minutes to go. The pressure was on them and we could see that,” he continued.
“Chants got louder and the crowds got more enthusiastic, and then we took the lead and then it got louder, and then when the game was over it got louder. This is crazy.”
Oct 6, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison looks on before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickie’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Portis then shifted to what he believes pushed Harrison out, noting how the front office never managed to lift the team after trading Luka Doncic. He emphasized that a GM has to keep upgrading the roster and finding the right combinations, and the Mavericks fell short in that pursuit. Still, Portis said Harrison made bold choices during his run and might even draw praise down the line for the risks he took.
“That’s different, trading a talent like Luka. He ain’t even touched his prime yet, that’s crazy to say.”
Many voices around the league echo Portis’ view as they continue to question Harrison’s choice to move on from the team’s longtime centerpiece.