TNT/ESPN
The Inside the NBA crew reacted to Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison’s end-of-season press conference and tore into the embattled Mavs executive. Charles Barkley even told him to shut up.
During TNT’s coverage of the NBA playoffs on Monday, April 21 — the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks in Game 2, while the Los Angeles Clippers tied their series against the Denver Nuggets — the Inside the NBA crew discussed Mavs general manager Nico Harrison, who again tried to rationalize his decision to trade away superstar Luka Doncic.
Needless to say, Harrison’s comments during his press conference — such as saying he didn’t realize the extent to which Doncic was important to the Mavs’ fanbase — did not land well with the NBA world, the Inside the NBA crew included.
“Listen man, I consider you a friend of mine. Nico Harrison, I consider you a friend of mine. I wish you nothing but the best. I thought you did a good job last year with the Mavs, and obviously whatever happened this year didn’t work out,” Barkley said.
“Man, don’t do no more press conferences. Like, I don’t even know what you’re doing. I really don’t. Like, I got sympathy and love for you, but I have zero idea what you’re trying to do. This war is over brotha. You takin’ the L. I hope you keep your job, I hope the team get healthy, but man, don’t do anymore interviews. Please don’t.”
“So his problem is, he wants to be liked when he should just be focusing on doing his job,” Shaq added.
On February 2, 2025, the Mavs traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 1st round pick.
They finished the season 10th in the Western Conference with a 39-43 record before losing both of their play-in tournament game, first to the Sacramento Kings and then to the Memphis Grizzlies, which ended their season.