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[Saba Sports News] A new and intriguing twist has surfaced regarding the Dallas Mavericks’ recent and highly scrutinized press conference.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison—widely criticized for orchestrating the Luka Doncic trade—held a “closed-door” media session on Tuesday alongside team CEO Rick Welts.
The event raised eyebrows, as local reporters were selectively invited and barred from using cameras or recording devices. Many fans and media members slammed the approach as evasive and lacking transparency.
However, it turns out the meeting wasn’t Harrison’s idea at all.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the closed-door roundtable was mandated by Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont—despite Harrison’s reluctance to participate.
“My understanding is that Nico Harrison did not want to do this closed-door roundtable,” Charania said on NBA Countdown. “This wasn’t his call. It was something enforced by owner Patrick Dumont.”
Since February’s blockbuster trade sent shockwaves through the NBA, Dumont has publicly backed Harrison. That support remains—for now. Still, the fact that Dumont had to compel his top executive to face the media may hint at deeper organizational strain.
Fan frustration toward Harrison has only grown louder in recent months. And with expectations sky-high for next season, any stumble out of the gate could test even Dumont’s patience.
In fact, reports suggest there’s already a “logical” successor in place should the team opt to move on from Harrison.