Mavs Insider Reportedly Says 'The Noise is Just Too Loud' Amid Criticism of Luka Trade

More than two months removed from the Luka Dončić trade, the vibes around the Dallas Mavericks and general manager Nico Harrison are somehow getting worse.

On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (starts at 21:38 mark), ESPN's Tim MacMahon cited a Mavs team source who explained "the noise is just too loud" amid the ongoing criticism of the ownership and front office for trading their franchise player.

"Talking to a team source tonight, the noise is just too loud," MacMahon said. "You just can't sustain this. You're taking on water and you can't bail fast enough.”

The sentiment came after Harrison and Mavericks CEO Rick Welts held a private roundtable discussion with members of the media on Monday. Pete Freeman of WFAA noted the press invite was sent out with less than 24 hours' notice and "clearly stipulated that no cameras or recording devices would be allowed in the meeting."

Harrison said during the discussion he has "no regrets" about the Feb. 2 deal that sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Part of it is doing the best thing for the Mavs," Harrison said, adding he believes they are still a "championship team" when everyone on the roster is healthy.

While the initial backlash to the trade was loud, it reached a different level on April 9 when Dončić returned to American Airlines Center for his first game as a member of the Lakers.

After getting emotional watching a tribute video that played before tipoff, Dončić proceeded to light up the Mavs by scoring 45 points in a 112-97 win for Los Angeles.

As the game was going on, Mavericks fans in the arena loudly chanted "Fire Nico!" It has become a common refrain in Dallas since the trade, along with protests outside the arena before games.

The Mavs' plan to have Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving as the engine of a top-tier team was upended when Irving suffered a torn ACL against the Sacramento Kings on March 3.

Studies have shown on average an NBA player can return on average in just over 12 months, which would have Irving back near the end of the 2025-26 regular season.

It didn't help matters that Davis was recovering from an adductor strain that limited him to just nine games with Dallas after the trade.

All of the pressure in the world is on Harrison and the Mavs front office to figure out a plan that can make their team a Western Conference contender in a hurry. It won't make up for the sting of trading away Dončić, but it can at least help ease the short-term pain fans are feeling.