Overview

• Nico Harrison defended the controversial Luka Doncic trade, acknowledging he underestimated the depth of fan attachment to the former franchise star.
• Dirk Nowitzki remains disengaged from the Mavericks, citing dissatisfaction with the organization's treatment of longtime staff, including Casey Smith.
• The demotion of Casey Smith, a trusted figure in player health management, has fueled criticism of the Mavericks' leadership and medical decisions.
• Harrison's recent remarks about not seeking input from Nowitzki or Mark Cuban have drawn sharp criticism, further straining relationships with franchise icons.
• Concerns over player health management persist, with Dereck Lively II's stress fracture raising questions about the team's medical oversight.