Mavs GM makes head-scratching statement about fans' love for Luka Doncic after trade

The Dallas Mavericks made the shocking decision to bargain Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers before the deadline earlier in the season a move that will likely haunt the team's fan base for years to come Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison s answers on the bargain have not sat well with anyone who enjoys the NBA or are fans of the organization On Monday Harrison addressed the business once again after the group s playoff hopes were dashed in the play-in tournament CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COM I did know that Luka was critical to the fan base Harrison recounted a small group of reporters I didn't quite know it to what level The Lakers Doncic acquisition re-energized the crew s NBA championship chances He averaged points rebounds and assists in games for the Lakers DUKE STAR COOPER FLAGG ANNOUNCES HE S DECLARING FOR NBA DRAFTHarrison mentioned he expected criticism from the transaction but thought it would have died down sooner if Anthony Davis was able to play more with Kyrie Irving Klay Thompson P J Washington and Dereck Lively II Davis suffered an injury in the first battle he played for Dallas Irving suffered a season-ending injury as well We feel that s a championship-caliber band and we would have been winning at a high level and that would have quieted selected of the outrage he added And so unfortunately we weren t able to do that so it just continued to go on and on History will determine how the transaction eventually is looked at But the Lakers adding Doncic to an aging LeBron James was definitely the best idea for their future The Associated Press contributed to this account Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter