Los Angeles Lakers fans erupted into loud “Thank you, Nico!” chants during Luka Dončić’s free throw attempts in last night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.comArena. The chants were directed at Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers earlier this season.
The game marked Dončić’s first matchup against his former team since the blockbuster trade that saw him, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, move to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The trade, which took place on February 1, 2025, has been widely criticized by Mavericks fans and analysts as one of the worst in NBA history.
As Dončić stepped to the free-throw line in the second quarter, the nearly 20,000 fans in attendance began chanting
“Thank you, Nico!” in unison.
Loud “Thank you, Nico!” chants while Luka Dončić shoots free throws. pic.twitter.com/qaI0x8ct8J
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 26, 2025
The sarcastic taunt was a clear jab at the Mavericks’ front office, which has faced relentless backlash for trading away their 25-year-old franchise superstar. Dončić, who has thrived since arriving in Los Angeles, responded by sinking all three free throws and flashing a knowing smirk.
The chants were not the only time the Lakers crowd made their feelings known. As Harrison made his way through the tunnel at halftime, fans once again serenaded him with “Good trade, Nico! We love you, Nico!”—a level of mockery that encapsulated just how one-sided this deal appears to be.
Dončić’s then recorded his first triple-double as a Laker, posting 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Lakers’ 107-99 victory over the Mavericks.
