The Zach Lowe Show – Mavericks Fire Nico. What’s Next? Plus Possible Anthony Davis Trades with J. Kyle Mann

Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: J. Kyle Mann

Overview

In this episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Zach Lowe and J. Kyle Mann break down the Dallas Mavericks’ abrupt firing of GM Nico Harrison, less than a year after Harrison orchestrated the stunning Luka Doncic-for-Anthony Davis trade with the Lakers—an NBA move already being called one of the most bewildering in league history. The duo unpacks the fallout from that deal, its impact on the Mavericks and their fanbase, and what’s next, particularly possible Anthony Davis trade destinations. The tone is candid, analytical, and occasionally incredulous, reflecting both hosts’ disbelief at the Mavericks’ rapid descent from NBA Finals participants to organizational chaos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nico Harrison’s Firing: The Aftermath of a Shocking Trade

• The Mavericks dismissed their GM, Nico Harrison, only nine months after he engineered the blockbuster deal sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick ([03:35]).
• Zach Lowe: “They fired Nico Harrison. They listened to the chants. It’s over.”
• The discussion centers on how firing the GM is an admission of a colossal mistake but does nothing to reverse the damage (“It ain’t bringing Luka back. It ain’t making Kyrie healthy. It ain’t making AD healthy.” [09:34]).
• The new owner, Patrick Dumont, is critiqued for approving the deal without basketball acumen and then distancing himself from it, even in his apology to fans ([04:00]).

2. Re-examining the Luka-for-AD Trade

• Zach and Kyle revisit and contextualize the trade:
  • Optimists argued, perhaps galaxy-brained, that Luka’s off-court habits and lack of play-style malleability justified a preemptive sale ([06:38], [07:15]).
  • Zach skewers that logic, noting Luka had led Dallas to Finals and Conference Finals: “They could win three playoff series. But the whole thing, unthinkable!” ([07:38])
  • The “delta” between what Dallas gave up for Davis and what they can now get for him is historic ([05:32]).
• Notable quote:
  • Zach Lowe: “It is a startling admission of basketball transactional guilt in its speed.” ([05:35])

3. Fan Alienation: It’s Like a Franchise Relocation

• Both compare the alienation of Mavericks fans to unprecedented betrayals in sports (e.g., Gretzky’s trade from Edmonton, Browns’ relocation) ([12:25], [13:29]).
• J. Kyle Mann: “Can you remember a time of a single fan base being alienated to this degree? The only comparisons we could come up with were literal relocations of franchises.” ([12:59])

4. Dallas’ Current State & Future Scenarios

• Kyrie Irving, AD, and Cooper Flag:
  • Cooper Flag is the lone bright spot for Dallas—a superstar in the making. The current roster fit is dubbed toxic and in need of a full reboot ([15:06]).
  • It’s questioned whether Kyrie will play again this season, considering the team’s direction and his injury ([17:11]).
  • AD trade likelihood is openly discussed, with both expecting serious conversations soon ([18:18], [19:05]).
• The team is poised for another high draft pick, possibly pairing Flag with another blue-chip talent ([16:19]).

5. Anthony Davis Trade Market: Who Is Desperate Enough?

• Davis’s contract and extension status will depress trade value; only “desperate” teams need apply ([20:10]).
  • Zach Lowe: “It has the potential to be kind of an anvil on your salary cap sheet… That’s why I say desperate.” ([20:46])
• Health, age, and declining offensive mobility are outlined as major problems for AD’s future impact ([21:29]).
• No team is likely to offer a haul equivalent to what Dallas gave up to get him; Zach preps Mavs fans to expect disappointment ([27:34]).

Desperate or Thematic Trade Destinations (with Quotes and Timestamps)

a. The CLAW at the Option: The LA Clippers

• Math is difficult due to cap (“The Clippers…hard capped at the first apron and not that far under it…” [25:07]).
• Possible packages: Collins, Bogdanovich, Brook Lopez, Derrick Jones Jr. and limited picks.
• Kyle: “If you get a team that is glacial by nature…and by age…naturally, let's throw Anthony Davis in there.” ([26:54])
• No offer is likely to excite Dallas: “I'm not going to give you any deal that you're going to do backflips over.” ([27:34])

b. Milwaukee Bucks

• Wild-card scenario: Kuzma + Miles Turner + a first-round pick. Unlikely, but Giannis & AD would be a formidably defensive frontcourt ([28:32]).
• Kyle: “If you got even a couple good years defensively out of AD, that would be pretty fascinating to put those two next to each other.” ([28:32])

c. (“Funny” Teams) Lakers, Pelicans, and Hornets

• Lakers: No way. “No shot.” ([29:10])
• Hornets: Lamelo Ball + AD would be wild but not realistic. Quick tangent on Lamelo’s development ([29:56]).

d. Orlando Magic

• If Magic disappoint: “Suggs plus Isaac. Do I need to throw in Wendell Carter Jr.? Not throwing in Franz. …Franz + Paolo + AD is going to be, I think, a rough fit on offense.” ([30:54])

e. Toronto Raptors

• Possible package: Quickley + Poeltl, maybe picks, to shake off post-title malaise ([32:31], [33:19]).

f. Minnesota Timberwolves

• Timberwolves are “first apron” team, need a third party for cap reasons. Would require giving up Gobert, Conley, and possibly rookie Rob Dillingham ([33:57]).
• Zach praises Jaden McDaniels as “absolutely off limits” in any talks ([34:54]).

g. Miami Heat

• Any trade needs to involve Rozier + one of Herro/Powell/Wiggins. Fit issues, especially with Heat’s up-tempo offense ([35:17], [36:09]).

h. Chicago Bulls

• Bulls might be desperate for fresh relevance: Vucevic, Kobe White, Pat Williams, Portland pick, Bulls pick. Zach is tentatively sold on the identity shift ([36:44], [38:55]).

i. Detroit Pistons

• Not a fan: excellent young defense already in place, AD is redundant and a poor fit. Markkanen a preferable target ([39:43], [40:48]).

j. (Wild-card ideas): Philadelphia 76ers

• Kyle proposes: “AD and Paul George, is that a starting point for something?” ([43:02]). Not feasible, but a fun exercise.
• Zach muses on the fit of AD with Embiid and possible reciprocal assets ([43:19]).

k. Indiana Pacers

• Zach looked into it, but the money doesn’t work. Would require a 6-for-1 and gutting the team identity ([45:20], [45:50]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zach Lowe, on the fallout:
  “This may already be the most audacious and brazen destruction of a great team in the shortest amount of time in the history of sports.” ([09:34])
• J. Kyle Mann, on the shock factor:
  “My wife…does not give a crap about sports at all…And she came home and was like, they traded Luka Doncic. Really? That just speaks to the level.” ([11:24])
• Zach Lowe, on future moves:
  “I would bet on (an AD trade). Yes.” ([18:18])
• J. Kyle Mann, on AD’s aging curve:
  “Are you getting me some of that, like, Lamarcus Aldridge pick and pop sort of stuff?…It doesn’t bode well. It really doesn’t.” ([21:29])

Important Timestamps

• 03:35 – Live show setup and immediate reaction to Harrison’s firing.
• 04:00 – 11:24 – Revisiting and lambasting the Luka-for-Davis trade.
• 12:25 – 14:46 – Fan alienation compared to historical sports betrayals and management confusion.
• 15:06 – 17:04 – Team aftermath: Kyrie, Cooper Flag, draft implications.
• 20:10 – 23:16 – Anthony Davis’s contract, possible trade packages, and realistic trade value.
• 25:07 – 45:20 – Deep-dive on possible AD trade partners (Clippers, Bucks, Lakers, Hornets, Orlando, Raptors, Miami, Bulls, Detroit, Philly, Indiana).
• 47:10 – “Is there any feel-better takeaway for Mavs fans?”
• 48:31 – “A Laker is going to be a hero in Dallas for as long as he plays—forever. It’s crazy.”

Concluding Thoughts / Big Picture

• Mavs fans now must look forward, hoping Cooper Flag develops into a franchise anchor ([15:06], [47:10]).
• Nico Harrison’s dismissal closes the book on one of NBA history’s most shocking executive blunders.
• The Mavericks are not in control of their destiny—recovery hinges on nailing the draft and extracting any value from the inevitable Davis trade.
• The weird twist: Luka is now an enemy in jersey only; his success in Los Angeles will be forever cheered in Dallas—a surreal sports dichotomy ([48:27]).

For listeners: This episode delivers the unvarnished truth behind the Mavs’ collapse, the drama of one of basketball’s wildest transactions, and a witty, thorough breakdown of what decent trade value for Anthony Davis could look like when the smoke clears.