The Ringer NBA Show – “No More Nico in Dallas. Plus, Biggest Surprises So Far This Season.” (11/11/2025)

Hosts: Logan Murdock (A), Raja Bell (D), Howard Beck (B), Cartier Cliff (E)
Theme: The Real Ones crew reacts to the stunning dismissal of Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, explores what’s next for the Mavs, and gives first impressions from the NBA’s opening 10 games—including the league’s biggest surprises and disappointments so far.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode pivots heavily to analyze the abrupt firing of Nico Harrison as the Dallas Mavericks’ GM, diving deep into the timeline of leadership decisions, the Luka Dončić trade fallout, and future directions for both the Mavericks and their ownership. The hosts also squeeze in their planned discussion: handing out “10-game impressions” with sharp takes on this season’s surprises, disappointments, and a quick roundtable of who’s most miserable in the NBA right now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nico Harrison Firing: Mavericks’ Catastrophe & What’s Next

[02:29 – 14:30]

• Timeline Recap (A: 02:29)

  • Nico Harrison hires (2021), initially seems a smart successor.
  • “Builds a team that is primed to go to the 2024 NBA Finals. Makes a few great trades...seems that the Mavericks are on the up and up. Go to the finals and then he abruptly trades Luka Doncic...” (A, 03:32).
  • Unpopular Luka trade for Anthony Davis with no bidding war; team moves to a “defense-first” mentality.
  • Injuries, new young star (Cooper Flag), dysfunctional lineup — leads to the present.

• Ownership & Leadership Issues (B: 05:05, 14:30)

  • Mark Cuban hired Nico; new owner Patrick Dumont inherits and over-empowers him.
  • “Placed too much stock in [Cuban’s] judgment in this case. So this is on you as the owner as much as it's on Nico Harrison.” (B, 05:39)
  • Lack of NBA knowledge in the new ownership—hard to select competent leadership now.

• Team Direction and Rebuild (B: 07:00, D: 08:17)

  • “You are not a contender. You are not going to be a contender any time soon...trade everybody but Cooper Flag and Derek Lively.” (B, 07:25)
  • Both Beck and Raja suggest embracing a rebuild centered on Cooper Flag and Derek Lively.

• Front Office Search – What Should Dallas Do? (B: 14:30)

  • “If you’re not networked as the owner yourself, you’re at a disadvantage. ...The search firm would be one way. The other way would be if you’re not going to elevate Michael Finley or Matt Riccardi, ... talk to them...Who out there is really sharp?” (B, 15:51)
  • Both advocate for a patient, methodical rebuild rather than a desperate quick-fix.

The Player Perspective: Locker Room Ripples

[17:22 – 21:31]

• Raja on player mindset:
  • “That player is probably kind of nervous about what’s going on right now...the guy just trying to provide for his family...I didn’t really care who the general manager was...But for the young superstar in Cooper Flag...you’re stable.” (D, 18:02)
  • Most pros will block out front office chaos and focus on their own performance/value.

Mark Cuban’s Blame & Legacy

[21:31 – 27:36]

• Logan pushes that Cuban “has responsibility” for picking the new owner.
• Beck sympathizes but argues owners are “just stewards”: “How much can you account for what the person after you does with the franchise?” (B, 22:49)
• Raja analogizes selling your house and hating the buyer’s choices.
• The group agrees: once you sell, you lose control, but the selection process still matters if you care for the community/franchise.

Nico Harrison’s Legacy & Mavericks Outlook

[28:11 – 34:55]

• The Dončić Trade will forever define him:
  • “Nico’s legacy...will always be the guy who gave away Luka Dončić and set the franchise back however many years it takes them to dig out of this hole.” (D, 28:40)
  • “It’s not just that he traded Luka. It’s that…you shouldn’t have traded him...You should have got more back.” (B, 29:42)
• Moving Forward:
  • “Just build around Cooper Flag. That’s really all it is.” (A, 33:00)
  • Raja and Howard: everything now depends on the next GM hire; “...all you’re talking about...that’s not just a foregone conclusion.” (D, 34:39)

Ten Game Impressions: Surprises & Disappointments

Biggest Surprise (Cartier Cliff Segment)

[36:46 – 44:18]

• Detroit Pistons (D, 37:31; A, 38:14):

  • Cade Cunningham’s ascension; team setting the early Eastern Conference pace.
  • “Their defense is just fantastic... them coming out the gates and setting the pace in the Eastern Conference, although I thought it would be open...is the biggest surprise.” (D, 37:31)

• Honorable Mentions: Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets

  • Bulls: “They did find something in Josh Giddey … nearly averaging a triple double, 21 points, 9.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists.” (B, 41:30)
  • Rockets: “...best offense in the league despite not having [a point guard]…speaks to how great a coaching job Ma Udoka has done.” (A, 39:45)

• Milwaukee Bucks (B, 42:14)

  • “...not a great roster and Miles Turner’s not even playing well. But Giannis is kicking everybody’s ass…It’s an impressive start with a pretty unspectacular supporting cast.” (B, 41:30)

Notable Quote

“If Cade is that dude and finally coming into his own, this is what you want to see. This is what the Pistons are… Just an organic ascension into the conference.”
— Logan (A, 38:36)

Biggest Disappointment

[44:18 – 50:55]

• LA Clippers (D, 44:42):

  • “They look old. They look… terrible defensively. That used to be what they were about. … I love T. Lou, man, but … you’re wondering if the messaging is still hitting the same way.” (D, 45:17)

• Pelicans, Hawks, Magic (A: 46:02, B: 47:58):

  • Pelicans: Wishful thinking; “there’s just something amiss.”
  • Hawks: “Trae Young situation probably hit its zenith … we know what the path forward is here.” (A, 46:21)
  • Magic: Disappointing to coworkers; “They’ve definitely been a disappointment.” (B, 56:52)

• Clippers’ Off-court Drama:

  • “Aspiration stuff is really hanging over that team... It’s not a serene place at the moment... seeping in.” (B, 49:44)

Most Miserable: Who Would You Least Like to Be?

[50:55 – 60:15]

• Memphis Grizzlies (D, 50:55):

  • “Because of the dissension between their head coach and their franchise player... when that locker room is sh*tty, that’s not a cool place to be.” (D, 51:03)

• Steve Ballmer and the Clippers (A, 52:54):

  • “No matter how much money you pump into it, ...no matter how much you grandstand...you get Kawhi Leonard, you get Paul George. The team that you traded with wins a title...all the things Steve Ballmer has hit us over the head with—they’ve only done it to be average.” (A, 54:02)

• Sacramento Kings (B, 56:52):

  • “I just don’t even know where you go from here if you’re the Sacramento Kings. ...One of the many, many sad versions of the Kings.” (B, 57:05)

• Russell Westbrook’s Situation (A, D, B, 58:20 – 61:25):

  • Russ in Sacramento is “just f*cking weird... Russ in that Kings jersey is Patrick Ewing in the Sonics jersey... it’s a graveyard, especially for players.” (B/A, 60:15)
  • “Just happy my dog’s in the league right now, dog.” (D, 59:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nico’s tenure:
  “The problem when you make a trade that was as ill considered and as catastrophic as the Luka trade is that it will be the only thing you're ever known for, ever.” — Howard (B, 29:42)
• On tanking for Cooper Flag:
  “Just build around Cooper Flag. That’s really all it is. ...this is for Cooper Flag to develop. Everybody get the hell up, out of the way.” — Logan (A, 33:00)
• On Clippers’ woes:
  “They just look old. ...They don't defend. ...I love T. Lou, man, but you’re wondering if the messaging is still hitting the same way.” — Raja (D, 45:13)
• On the futility of recent Kings teams:
  “...it’s one of the many, many sad versions of the Kings. So of all the places to finish in that jersey at this time...” — Beck (B, 60:36)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:29–14:30 – Mavericks/Nico Harrison timeline, analysis of what went wrong, and future direction.
• 14:30–17:22 – How to pick a new GM; the complications of unseasoned ownership.
• 17:22–21:31 – The player experience amidst front office chaos.
• 21:31–27:36 – Mark Cuban’s responsibility, legacy, and analogy debates.
• 28:11–34:55 – Harrison’s legacy and a clear directive for the franchise's rebuild.
• 36:46–44:18 – Biggest Surprises (Pistons, Bulls, Rockets, Bucks).
• 44:18–50:55 – Biggest Disappointments (Clippers, Pelicans, Hawks).
• 50:55–60:15 – Most miserable teams/figures: Grizzlies, Clippers, Kings, Russell Westbrook.
• 58:20–61:25 – The plight of Russ and the “graveyard” Kings organization.

Tone & Style

The pod carries a lively, unsparing insider tone with a mix of humor, exasperation, and deep league contacts. Logan’s impassioned takes and Howard’s veteran perspective anchor the discussion, while Raja adds player psychology and real talk. Cliff’s fast-paced categories keep the group moving.

Final Takeaways

• The Mavericks’ chaotic recent history and Nico Harrison's firing signal a clear crossroads: invest in a patient, Cooper Flag-led rebuild.
• Ownership transitions, if not handled with care and knowledge, can destabilize franchises for years.
• This NBA season’s first 10 games reveal surprise risers (Pistons, Rockets, Bulls) and alarming declines (Clippers, Pelicans, Kings).
• Sad locker rooms (Memphis), underachieving “super teams” (Clippers), and odd career endings (Russ on the Kings) are the league’s darkest spots.
• The smartest path for Dallas: “do your due diligence” on a new GM and resist urgency for quick contention.

Memorable Closing Note:

"Just build around Cooper Flag. ...Mavericks would be okay. They finally made the move they should have made."
— Logan Murdock (A, 33:00)