Outrage erupted across the Mavericks fan base following a jaw-dropping trade move that saw Luka Dončić, the beloved star of the Dallas Mavericks, being shipped off to the Los Angeles Lakers a week ago. The wound is still fresh for Mavericks faithful who have taken their discontent to the streets.
Incoming in the trade was Anthony Davis, who is slated to make his debut for the Mavericks this Saturday. Ahead of the game, fans gathered outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas to voice their displeasure over the shocking trade. The protest signs carried by the demonstrators ranged from sentiments of missing Dončić, who was considered the face of the franchise, to direct calls for the firing of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, the architect behind the controversial deal.
The scene outside the arena captured by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon showed fans booing a cutout of Harrison with a red clown nose affixed to it, accompanied by chants of “Nico sucks.” The protest, marked by emotional fervor, extended beyond the physical demonstrations, with fans taking to digital billboards across Dallas to express their disappointment. One such billboard read, “He was supposed to have a statue,” referencing the now-ironic words on Dirk Nowitzki’s statue outside the American Airlines Center: “Loyalty never fades away.”
The group of dissenting fans also called for the team’s ownership to be reconsidered. The Mavericks are under the ownership of the family of Miriam Adelson, who oversee the Las Vegas Sands casino company; Patrick Dumont, Adelson’s son-in-law and team governor, granted the final approval on the trade that stirred the fan base.
Despite Harrison’s defense of the trade, attributing it to preempting a potentially tumultuous summer, fans remained undeterred. The general manager has faced severe backlash, including death threats and racial slurs, prompting increased security measures at the Mavericks’ venue.
Now, all eyes are on Anthony Davis, as he shoulders the weight of proving his worth in the wake of Dončić’s departure. Davis, overcoming an abdominal injury, is geared up to showcase his skills in the upcoming game. The moment arrived with a powerful statement as Davis let out a triumphant yell after a gritty put-back bucket in the first quarter, sporting the Mavericks uniform for the first time.
