Dallas Mavericks‘ general manager Nico Harrison has been the apple of the eye of fans and media after making the biggest move in the 2024-25 NBA season. To refresh your minds, Harrison was responsible for the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. After that, there have been reports about how the general manager has handled things within the organization.
Earlier this week, there was a report about how the executive fired a well-respected staff member of the franchise, Casey Smith. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon published a piece that revealed how Harrison dismissed the former director of health and performance. Accoridng to the insider, Smith was reportedly fired by the general manager for being “too negative.”
MacMahon revealed that Harrison fired Smith via video call after the latter couldn’t attend an in-person meeting. This happened while the former Mavs staffer was tending to his gravely ill mother.
Former Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons didn’t hold back and criticized the executive for how he ended Smith’s two-decade-long stay with the organization.
“That is bad business. That is bush league. That’s inexcusable to me as a new GM that’s trying to make decisions and fit in,” Parsons said. “That’s not right. Someone with the respect and the clout that Casey Smith has.”
“Now, I have a problem with him. That is not how you treat people. That is not great relationship, that is not good business.”
“That is bad business. That is bush league. That’s inexcusable to me as a new GM.” 😳 @ChandlerParsons did not hold back on Nico Harrison firing a Mavs employee over zoom while his mother was dying.
Did Nico go too far?@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/ABcbcoD8aL
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 23, 2025
During the Mavericks’ end-of-season presser, the report about Smith was brought up. However, Harrison became defensive and said the former employee wasn’t with them during the 2024 playoffs and made it to the Finals. He said bringing up the recently-fired staff member doesn’t make sense.
Dallas Mavericks’ ownership want to bring in front office help for Harrison
On Wednesday, it was reported that the Dallas Mavericks’ majority owner, Patrick Dumont, is interested in an offseason hire. The potential hiring, which was reported by McMahon, would be related to their front office personnel. However, this isn’t to replace Harrison as they aren’t willing to part ways with the executive.
The ESPN analyst told the news when he appeared as a guest on “The Right Time With Bomani Jones.” MacMahon said the owner wants to sign an experienced front office staff to help Harrison.
“I was talking to somebody who’s in an ownership group of another Western Conference team recently, and they basically said, ‘I hate to say it, but this is going to be his legacy. This trade’s his legacy. Like he’s never going to work in the NBA again,” MacMahon said.
Patrick Dumont Wants Mavs To Hire Experienced Exec To Work With Nico Harrison https://t.co/ko2F9aHLRf
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 23, 2025
As of now, it remains unclear which experienced executive the Dallas Mavericks are interested in signing.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
