It’s been almost a year since the Dallas Mavericks traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the effects of the most shocking deal in NBA history are still being felt.
Mavericks fans were understandably upset about the trade and with the team getting off to a rough start this season, their anger towards the organization has only grown.
No one felt that more than general manager Nico Harrison, who often heard his name being chanted with the word “fire” before it at home games, which can’t be a great feeling for anyone.
During the Mavericks’ recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the chants grew so loud that Dallas’ owner Patrick Dumont was finally forced to take action as Harrison was fired the following morning.
Additionally, Dumont was seen sitting courtside at the game chatting with a young fan wearing a Doncic Lakers jersey. According to Devon Henderson of The Athletic, that fan was apologizing to Dumont for some previous comments and actions, and the Mavericks owner then issued an apology of his own back:
Sitting next to Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont at Monday’s game was a physical reminder of what many consider his greatest failure: a Lakers Luka Doncic jersey, worn by an 18-year-old named Nicholas Dickason.
Dickason’s family owns season tickets four rows behind where Dumont sits courtside. In October, Dickason told The Athletic he launched four-letter invectives, along with a finger, in the direction of the Mavericks’ top executive. The blowout 125-92 loss to in-state rival San Antonio was the first opening night in seven years in which perennial MVP candidate Doncic tipped off his season in colors other than Mavericks blue and white. The pain still lingered.
Weeks later, after what he described as personal and parental reflection, Dickason decided an apology was in order. So he approached Dumont as the owner took his seat during the third quarter of Monday’s 116-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks — still wearing the Lakers Doncic jersey.
Dumont had apologies of his own.
“Basically, Patrick was like, he feels horrible for the trade and wants to make it up to us,” Dickason told The Athletic in a phone interview. “That’s basically what he said. He accepted my apology for it as well.”
According to a post by MFFL Nation, a popular Mavericks coverage account that also spoke with Dickason, Dumont expressed further apologies. He said he wants to win back the fans and admitted to making a mistake he is trying to reconcile — that “what he did wasn’t in the best interest of the franchise.”
While a new era of Mavericks basketball is getting underway, Dumont is clearly trying to smooth things over with the fanbase by apologizing and firing Harrison.
If things don’t turn around quickly though then more anger could be shifted Dumont’s way considering he is the owner and had ultimate say on trading Doncic, who is off to an exceptional start with the Lakers this season.
Luka Doncic excited for LeBron James to return
Unlike the Mavericks, the Lakers are off to a great start this season and they have done so despite superstar LeBron James not yet suiting up.
His season debut is expected to come soon though, and Luka Doncic expressed how excited he is to get James back in the lineup.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
