Former Dallas Mavericks senior analyst Jeremias Engelmann claims Nico Harrison cultivated an environment that silenced critical voices and rewarded loyalists, creating an echo chamber within the front office. Engelmann told readers on his Substack that Harrison “drowned out many of the voices who could provide perspective” and empowered individuals with limited basketball knowledge.
Engelmann, who served with the Mavericks from March 2019 to May 2022, said Harrison surrounded himself with people who “stroked Nico’s ego at every turn,” often promoting attorneys or other staff who had advanced through personal loyalty rather than expertise. He argued that the echo chamber directly influenced major decisions, including the controversial trade sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
According to Engelmann, the front office under Harrison lacked internal checks, with dissenting opinions dismissed while loyal staff were elevated. He described leaving the Mavericks after the 2022 Western Conference Finals as a response to this environment, citing a failure by Harrison to distinguish between knowledgeable input and blind support.
The controversy over Harrison’s approach has resurfaced as the Mavericks move to stabilize their front office following his imminent firing. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will take over basketball operations in an interim capacity. Harrison’s departure comes nine months after the Luka trade, a move that sparked fan backlash and left his standing within the organization precarious.
Internal tension escalated in recent weeks, with owner Patrick Dumont bypassing Harrison on Anthony Davis’ return-to-play decisions. Reports indicate trust between Dumont and Harrison had “completely disintegrated,” including disagreements over Davis’ push to play in Washington last Saturday.
The Mavericks have struggled early in the 2025–26 season, sitting at 3–8 through 11 games. Injuries to Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford have compounded the team’s challenges, despite strong individual performances from Davis, Cooper Flagg, and D’Angelo Russell.
Marc Stein reported that voices within the organization are pushing for former Harrison adviser Dennis Lindsey to return from Detroit. Interim leaders Finley and Riccardi are expected to focus on stabilizing operations while management evaluates candidates for a permanent front office role. Harrison had defended the Luka trade as part of a defensive-focused rebuild, with Davis envisioned as the team’s cornerstone.
