Nico Harrison pours salt into Mavericks fan base's wounds

The Mavericks fan base is still reeling from the nightmare it endured on Feb. 2 when the franchise traded away Luka Doncic. The wounds grew more pronounced when a teary-eyed Doncic returned to Dallas and scored 45 points against his former team.

As Mavericks fans try to pick up the pieces, Nico Harrison is intent on adding to their misery. On Tuesday, the Mavs GM doubled down on his earlier justification that Doncic, a poor defensive player, did not fit the culture his franchise wanted to create, which is why it traded for Anthony Davis, a former five-time All-Defensive selection.

"There's no regrets on the trade," Harrison told a select group of Dallas beat writers, via ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future, and some of the decisions I'm going to make are going to be unpopular. That's my job, and I have to stand by it."

Harrison stressed that he traded for Davis, 32, to create a championship window for a "three-to-four-year time frame," and that it'd be unfair to judge the move until after a few years. He further added that fans and analysts are "entitled to your opinions" on why he made a mistake by trading Doncic.  

"I think once we win, then that will change your mind," he said.

The player-turned-executive downplayed the "Fire Nico" chants that have engulfed every Mavericks home game since the Doncic trade, praising the city of Dallas for its "passionate fanbase." 

The timing of Harrison's presser couldn't have been more awkward. This week, Doncic's Lakers will host the Timberwolves in a first-round series as they begin their quest for an NBA title. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will likely be sent packing after a play-in loss. 

Perhaps the presser could have been held after the playoffs, especially if the Lakers falter in their pursuit of a championship. At least Harrison could have taken the "I told you so" approach. Instead, Mavs fans will have to endure a Doncic playoff run while still licking fresh wounds.