The Dallas Mavericks are facing mounting internal pressure to consider a midseason general manager change, as the franchise struggles to recover from the fallout of the Luka Doncic trade and a disappointing start to the 2025–26 season.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the “rising and virtually ceaseless negativity” surrounding the team is troubling ownership and has made the prospect of replacing GM Nico Harrison “unavoidable at the highest levels.”
The Mavericks currently sit near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 3–7 record. While the Doncic-Davis deal was framed as a pivot toward veteran leadership and defensive identity, the results have been underwhelming.
Fan sentiment has soured dramatically, with many viewing the Doncic trade as a betrayal of the franchise’s future. The team’s poor performance has only amplified calls for accountability.
Team governor Patrick Dumont, who signed off on the Doncic trade alongside Harrison, reportedly prefers to give Harrison more time to stabilize the roster. However, Stein reports that the internal conversation has shifted:
“Contemplating whether an in-season change is the wisest course for the Mavericks to try to forge ahead post-Doncic has become unavoidable at the highest levels of the organization.”
According to Stein, the rationale for a potential GM change includes:
- “Vibe shift potential”: A new front office leader could reset the team’s culture and morale.
- Re-engaging alienated fans: Many supporters have distanced themselves from the team since the trade.
- Symbolic accountability: The GM who traded Doncic may not be the right figure to lead the franchise into its next chapter.
The Mavericks’ struggles have been widely covered, with analysts and fans questioning the logic behind the trade and the team’s roster construction. Harrison’s tenure is under scrutiny for strategic missteps and a lack of cohesion.
Marc Stein emphasized that while firing Harrison may not solve all of Dallas’s problems, it could serve as a necessary first step toward rebuilding trust and direction.
