This afternoon, Nico Harrison, the GM of the Dallas Mavericks, addressed the media about the recent trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Harrison expressed that he had “no regrets” about the trade, insisting that “defense wins championships” as he referenced previous trades that were once criticized but later proven successful, according to ESPN.

Harrison defended the decision to transfer Doncic for Anthony Davis, a choice that has sparked outrage among Mavericks fans due to Doncic’s previous contributions that led the team to the NBA Finals in 2024. He acknowledged that while defense is essential, it needs to pair with a robust offensive strategy—as highlighted by the team that outperformed the Mavericks in the Finals last year, boasting a high offensive rating.

Despite Doncic averaging 28.2 points per game with the Lakers, the Mavericks have struggled since the trade, earning only 13 wins against 20 losses and dropping to 10th in the Western Conference. Harrison highlighted that injuries—like the torn ACL faced by Kyrie Irving—compounded the team’s issues.

Reflecting on the trade, Harrison stated, “That’s my job and I have to stand by it.” While it remains to be seen how the season will unfold for the Mavericks, the fans are anxious about the long-term implications of this decision.