Luka Dončić arrived in Los Angeles this season with a fresh mindset, embracing a new ‘leader’ mindset while showing off a remarkable physical transformation. Slimmer, quicker, and sharper than ever, he’s riding the adrenaline of EuroBasket and proving all doubts about his conditioning wrong. The move from Dallas was a shock, but Dončić bounced back quickly. While he was visibly upset by the trade, even Dallas GM Nico Harrison hasn’t shied away from showing his true feelings about the situation.

Before the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans, Dallas GM Nico Harrison was out signing autographs for fans, a typical pregame scene. But Full Court Pass caught an unusual moment, posting: “Nico Harrison signed autographs for Mavs fans. He SKIPPED the kid wearing a Luka Doncic jersey 😭” Dozens of fans had gathered in the front row, hoping for a signature or a quick photo with the GM, yet the young Doncic supporter was left waiting, making the moment stand out as both surprising and awkward.

But this isn’t exactly a surprise. Earlier this year, Dallas Mavericks fans made their anger toward GM Nico Harrison very clear. The trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers hit the fanbase hard. Fans mourned the loss, with some even holding a mock funeral outside the arena to mark his departure.

The backlash was fierce, with chants of “Fire Nico” ringing through home games, and a custom-made “Fire Nico” jersey signed by Dončić himself even went up for auction.

Harrison has admitted that he miscalculated just how beloved Luka was among Mavericks supporters. The trade left many fans feeling betrayed, and it seemed the GM might never regain their trust.

Every move he made post-trade was scrutinized, and skipping a young fan wearing a Luka jersey during autograph sessions was only a small reminder of the lingering tension between the front office and the fanbase.

Despite the storm, Harrison has remained steadfast in his conviction that the Mavericks have the pieces to build a winning team. But fans were willing to give Nico Harrison some leeway when the team landed the No. 1 draft pick, Cooper Flagg, this season.

The rookie has shown promise so far, averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, despite his shooting percentage being 38.8%. 

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, the team’s key replacement for Dončić, has flashed brilliance with 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field.

Unfortunately, Davis’ momentum has been stalled by a low-grade left calf strain he suffered last Wednesday against the Pacers, forcing him to miss a third consecutive game as the Lakers face the Pelicans. 

After the trade, Luka Dončić didn’t hide his disappointment. He told ESPN, “It’s just sad the way he’s talking right now. I never say anything bad about him, and I just want to move on. The fans, my ex-teammates, I’ll always keep at heart. It’s time for me to move on from there.”

He might feel even more disappointed when he finds out that Nico bid him off for a lighter package.

Rob Pelinka’s strategic move: How the Lakers secured Luka Dončić

Rob Pelinka’s trade for Luka Dončić felt like a masterclass in strategy and timing. Leaning on his friendship and shared history with Harrison through Kobe Bryant, Pelinka helped orchestrate a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz that sent Luka to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis.

What made the move so shocking wasn’t just the players involved; it was how Pelinka convinced Harrison to accept a lighter package than initially discussed. 

On The Old Man and The Three show, Ryen Russillo suggested the deal almost felt like a setup, explaining that Pelinka persuaded Harrison over a casual cup of coffee, using their past connections to make the trade seem straightforward.

Russillo emphasized the scale of the move: “A guy at probably his worst is the third or fourth best player in the world… traded after making what, five first-team All-NBA by 25?”

Dallas reportedly moved Luka due to concerns over his conditioning, defensive effort, and recurring injuries, including a calf strain. Pelinka quietly used these concerns to his advantage, presenting Luka as a long-term risk.

Reports revealed that the original deal could have included two first-round picks and rookie Dalton Knecht, but Pelinka gradually scaled down Dallas’ expectations.

 Russillo explained, “It was almost as if Nico thought Pelinka was doing him a favor by keeping it quiet,” while Pelinka internally was likely thinking, ‘I can’t believe we’re going to get this guy… we need to move fast and not shop him around.’

When the trade was finalized, Luka landed in Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, with the Lakers retaining their 2031 pick.

Russillo called it “the worst trade in the history of the league” because Dallas didn’t fully leverage Luka’s value. Pelinka immediately signed Dončić to a three-year, $165 million extension, keeping him off the free-agent market.