Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is not a well-liked man in Dallas following the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. He’s already been treated to hostile chants at his team’s arena, and some SMU students got in on the action after he showed up to a Mustangs game on Tuesday night.
It’s been less than two weeks since the world learned about what is arguably the biggest trade in NBA history (and certainly one of the most baffling) courtesy of the swap that saw the Dallas Mavericks obtain Anthony Davis while Luka Doncic became the newest member of the Lakers.
We’ve been treated to plenty of surprising revelations in the wake of that blockbuster transaction, including the fact Mavs GM Nico Harrison was the person who reached out to the Lakers to see if they’d be interested in acquiring Doncic before he and Rob Pelinka spent weeks secretly negotiating the deal that seemingly ended with Los Angeles absolutely fleecing Dallas based on the information currently at hand.
It’s hard to imagine Harrison thought that news was going to go over well with the Mavericks fans who have not been shy about voicing their displeasure with the man responsible for shipping off the face of the franchise for a talented but aging and injury-prone veteran who will miss multiple weeks after straining his adductor during his first game with his new team.
On Monday, multiple people were ejected from the game between the Mavericks and the Kings for the “Fire Nico” sentiments they shared during that contest, and if Harrison thought he was going to get a warm welcome when he showed up to Tuesday’s ACC showdown between SMU and Pitt, he was sorely mistaken.
Harrison posted up next to the SMU student section at Moody Arena, and Lone Star Live reporter Jacob Richman captured the scene that unfolded after some members of the Mustangs faithful became aware of his presence and broke out into a “Fire Nico” chant.
SMU students begin the “Fire Nico” chants at Moody Coliseum with Nico Harrison in attendance. pic.twitter.com/eOMAY7GfxV
— Jacob Richman (@JacobHRichman) February 12, 2025
The Mavericks pointed to the NBA’s code of conduct to justify the decision to remove the fans who pulled a similar move at American Airlines Center, but SMU students were seemingly immune from retribution after Harrison made the decision to show up to their home turf.
Well played.