[Townsend] Mavs GM Nico Harrison explaining stunning Luka Doncic trade: ‘It’s my job to make tough decisions’

Full article here: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/02/01/dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic-trade-lakers-anthony-davis-max-christie/

These are just the Nico Harrison quotes explaining his thought process. The full article above has the rest of the context

“I understand why they would be shocked, initially,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told The News. “But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future.

“And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.”

How, when and why did this megadeal come to fruition?

Harrison cited his two-decade relationship with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, starting when Harrison was a Nike executive and Pelinka was a player agent.

Harrison told The News that he and Pelinka began having “basketball” conversations more than a month ago.

“Then all of a sudden we’re like, ‘Would you ever do this?’

‘Nah, you’re joking, right?’

‘Hmm. Interesting. Maybe I would.’

Added Harrison: “And then it just built over time over the last three weeks.”

A person familiar with the Mavericks’ thinking told The News that Harrison got full support from team governor Patrick Dumont in the weeks leading to the trade and when it was time to pull the trigger late Saturday night.

“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison said. “And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”

“And then obviously, when you get an all NBA player who’s also a first team All-Defensive player, we think that’s gonna help us where we need it the most, on the defensive end.”

Davis primarily has played center the last three seasons for the Lakers and recently told ESPN that he longed for Los Angeles to acquire a center, which would allow Davis to return to power forward, his preferred position and the position he played when Los Angeles won the title.

In joining the Mavericks, Davis will play alongside center Daniel Gafford and eventually Dereck Lively II when he returns from his recent ankle stress fracture.

“I think if you look at the Cleveland Cavaliers, that’s what you’re going to see,” said Harrison, a reference to Cleveland’s imposing frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. “Anthony’s probably going to finish games at the five, but you’re going to see those guys play together. And when Lakers won, he played the four.”

Harrison said he did text and leave a phone message for Doncic.

“My guess is he probably doesn’t want to talk to me,” Harrison said.