“He Will Return to Dallas ASAP”: Mavericks Fans React as Luka Doncic Fields Questions on Reunion After Nico Harrison's Firing

Luka Doncic fueled Dallas Mavericks fans' hopes of a comeback to the franchise nine months following his blockbuster trade that shook the NBA. On Wednesday, Doncic was asked about former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison's dismissal.

Doncic didn't mention Harrison, but expressed his admiration for the city, the fans and his ex-teammates, saying:

"The city of Dallas, the fans, players, they always have a special place in my heart. I thought I was gonna stay there forever, but I didn't. ... Always, I can call it home. But right now, I'm focused on the Lakers, trying to move on."

He was also asked about returning to the Mavericks down the line, if not immediately.

"Right now, I'm just focused on the Lakers, man. Like, no further comments," Doncic said.

After Doncic didn't explicitly reject the idea of returning someday, Mavericks fans rallied on X with hopes of a reunion with the former franchise centerpiece.

Here's how they reacted:

Murphy #1 Reid

@PurpleHerring1

W question. Luka will return to Dallas ASAP

Cisco Mercado

@cisco_mercado

Luka will return to Dallas one day its were he belongs honestly Lakers are a temporary team not his real home he still have home in Dallas so what does that tell laker fans again Luka will return home he bleeds Dallas in his heart always n forever

Miguel Limón

@MiguelGlim

He will return. Not this year, not the next, but one day he’ll give Dallas the ring it deserves.

MagicPants

@calexicant

Luka for AD, Cooler Flagg, and Max Christie and a first. Who says no? 🤭

M

@savedmessay

His return to Dallas will be bigger than lebrons return to Cleveland l! Book it

quay

@JaQualinBrooks

HE DIDNT SAY NO

Luka Doncic went through a wave of emotions during the switch, so for now, it remains an unlikely proposition for him to make another move back to Dallas. The Lakers also won't willingly move him after entirely aligning their future with Doncic's timeline at the risk of LeBron James potentially leaving.

Doncic is under contract through 2029 after signing a $161.4 million extension this offseason. The earliest he can become a free agent is in 2028 by opting out of his deal.

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Luka Doncic's trade among major factors leading to Nico Harrison's firing

One of the major movers behind Luka Doncic's trade was Nico Harrison. The former Dallas Mavericks general manager proposed the Anthony Davis acquisition, executed the process and brought everyone on board for the league-altering deal.

On Tuesday, Harrison got fired for it. The Mavericks fell to 3-8 with Harrison still on board. Meanwhile, his star acquisition, Anthony Davis, had missed his sixth straight game. On the other hand, Doncic was off to an MVP start, leading the Lakers to eight wins in the same time frame.

As Dallas fell into a downward spiral and Doncic surged for the Purple and Gold, the pressure from Mavericks fans to fire Nico Harrison reached a point where owner Patrick Dumont had to make quick decisions.

Here's what Dumont said in a letter to the fans after deciding to move on from Harrison:

"I understand the profound impact these difficult last several months have had. Please know that I'm fully committed to the success of the Mavericks. ... Our goal is to return winning basketball to Dallas and win championships."

The Mavericks are shaking things up in a major way after Nico Harrison's departure. Former majority owner, Mark Cuban, is reportedly back at the decision-makers' table and planning "radical" roster changes.