Hall of Famer Gary Payton has weighed in on one of the most controversial trades in recent NBA history, publicly defending Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s role in the Luka Doncic blockbuster deal.
Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast with Jeff Teague, Payton emphasized that Harrison wasn’t acting alone when he sent the All-NBA guard to the Lakers.
“And then I feel for Nico, man,” Payton said, via HoopsHype. “Nico was my rep at Nike—that’s like a little brother to me.”
Payton, known for his no-nonsense takes, suggested the decision came from above and that Harrison was merely carrying out orders.
“He’s the President and General Manager. He can’t make those calls on his own. An owner has to make that call,” he continued.
According to Payton, the trade was not something Harrison pushed through independently but rather an organizational directive that left the GM with little room to maneuver.
“He can’t just say, ‘I’ll make the call.’ Because he was going to get fired,” Payton said. “So all you fans out there blaming him like that—get up out of here with that.”
Doncic was traded on February 2 to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that also included Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. In return, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
At the time, Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain and reportedly learned about the trade only after it was finalized.
Harrison, under heavy fire from fans and media alike, defended the move by citing defensive needs and championship aspirations.
Payton made it clear that blaming Harrison for parting ways with a generational talent misses the bigger picture.
“He made a decision based on what he was told to do—what was supposed to be done—and that’s what they did,” Payton concluded.
Despite Doncic’s efforts, Los Angeles was eliminated in the first round by Minnesota, while the Mavericks secured the final play-in spot in the West with a 39-43 record, but were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament.
