Nico Harrison's controversial tenure as the Dallas Mavericks' general manager came to an end on Tuesday, when team owner Patrick Dumont fired the former Nike vice president in a move that many saw coming months ago.
Harrison enjoyed relative anonymity as the quiet but effective force that built a championship-worthy roster in Dallas. Between 2021 and 2024, the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals twice and lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.
However, Harrison's decision to trade superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1 prompted fan outrage that never really subsided. Even after the Mavericks won the right to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dallas' 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season doomed Harrison and led to his long-gestating dismissal.
MORE: Nico Harrison made a hilarious change to his Instagram bio after Mavs firing
Is Nico Harrison joining the Lakers?
No, Harrison is not reuniting with Doncic
Harrison's post-Dallas future has been a source of intrigue for NBA fans of all stripes. Harrison's friendship with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is one of the reasons why Doncic ended up in Los Angeles, and a well-known social media parody account has capitalized on the former Nike executives' longstanding ties.
That's right: Centel is at it again.
The @TheNBACentel account on X posted "BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to hire Nico Harrison, per sources" as Harrison was fired, and the post has since racked up 1.1 million views and more than 36,000 likes.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to hire Nico Harrison, per sources pic.twitter.com/FUO50R6FnH
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) November 11, 2025
Harrison has left no breadcrumbs as to his future plans beyond a wholesome update to his own social media profiles. But for now, there is nothing to the rumor (funny and ironic though it may be) that he will reunite with Doncic in Southern California, nine months after the shocking trade was completed.
Centel wasn't the only account to link Pelinka to the Lakers. Another viral post, which was also fake, claimed the Lakers retired Harrison's "jersey" while fans chanted, "Thank you, Nico."
The Lakers have officially RETIRED Nico Harrison’s jersey 🥹
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 12, 2025
(Via @FBI_report) pic.twitter.com/H8ZvkrInkC
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- Why did Mavericks fire Nico Harrison? Dallas parts ways with GM responsible for Luka Doncic trade
- Anthony Davis trade rumors get important update amid Nico Harrison firing
- Nico Harrison made the dumbest trade in NBA history - Nine months later, Patrick Dumont finally realized it
- Cooper Flagg's mom Kelly makes stance clear on Mavs firing Nico Harrison