Part 7/11:
Fans and analysts alike have dissected Harrison’s behavior during his press conference, with body language experts noting that his supposed partner, coach Jason Kidd, displayed stone-faced indifference. The lack of any shared enthusiasm or support from Kidd raised further suspicions about the legitimacy of the trade.
Moreover, Nico's assertion that the Mavericks would be better off without their star player received immediate backlash. Ironically, Dončić was integral to the Mavericks' success just the season prior, leading them to the NBA Finals at 25 years old—a feat that puts him at a prime moment in his career. Comparisons were drawn to historic missed opportunities, questioning how a franchise could be so short-sighted when its future was so closely tied to such a talent.