Unpopular opinion? ESPN analyst, ex-NBA All-Star has surprising take on Mavs GM Nico Harrison

This is the second time that the former NBA All-Star has looked at the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade in different light.

Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (left) speaks with Phoenix Suns assistant coach David Fizdale (right) before the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Seven weeks have passed since the Dallas Mavericks shocked everyone by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. To be honest, the last two months have felt like years considering the state of the Mavericks since the deal.

Davis and basically half the roster went down with injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear for star Kyrie Irving, who did everything he could to keep the franchise afloat. With ten games remaining in the regular season, Dallas finds itself fighting for the last spot in the postseason after making a run to the NBA Finals less than a year ago.

The trade brought plenty of criticism to general manager Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont as the Mavericks ousted Doncic, who had become the face of the franchise. However, one former NBA all-star turned analyst has a different take on the deal.

READ MORE: Anthony Davis moves up in NBA history during Mavericks-Nets

Mar 8, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; FC Dallas fans hold up a Fire Nico sign for Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison during the first half of the game between FC Dallas and Chicago Fire at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Carlos Boozer, who previously argued that Dallas and Los Angeles both came out on top in the trade, credited Harrison for the team he put together. Boozer believes that the Mavericks are in a position to compete for a championship next season if everyone can stay healthy.

"I actually like this team when they're completely healthy," Boozer said on ESPN's Get Up on Tuesday. "Kyrie was having an outstanding season, I think [Daniel] Gafford made a huge step from when he was with the Wizards to coming to Dallas, [Dereck] Lively's made another step as well. AD in the middle, the scoring, the rebounding, the assisting - the shooting of Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, we forgot about him, he's like the forgotten man."

Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Former NBA player Carlos Boozer looks on in the first half of the in season tournament championship final between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

"They have great pieces on that team," Boozer continued. "Nico did a good job of putting a really good team together for now. So for next year, they're going to be a contender if they're healthy."

"Next year, they're going to be a contender if they're healthy."

👀 @MisterCBooz on the Dallas Mavericks pic.twitter.com/bljOjiZWQ9

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 25, 2025

Time will only tell if Boozer, who played in the NBA from 2002-15, ends up being right about Dallas' potential success. Harrison's job is surely relying on it.

Either way, no one expected the Mavericks to be on the outside looking in on the playoffs with the regular season nearing its end. A lot of that can be attributed to the moves that Harrison and Dumont decided to make.

Since trading Luka Doncic on February 4, the Mavericks have gone 9-15, including 4-11 in the past 15 games as the injuries have piled up. Dallas is currently on a two-game winning streak.

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READ MORE: Kyrie Irving admits he 'struggled' with Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to Lakers

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