Mavericks fans haven’t taken their collective foot off the gas.
And they haven’t gotten over the loss of their now-former franchise star.
Ahead of what will be the first Mavericks home game without Luka Doncic since the blockbuster Sunday morning trade that sent him to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas, hundreds of fans planned a protest and gathered near PNC Plaza at American Airlines Center to speak out.
The first people who arrived late Saturday morning specifically voiced their anger toward general manager Nico Harrison, who led the charge on the shocking move.
A few hours ahead of a game that will introduce the new-look team in Dallas against the contending Rockets, a truck continuously circled the plaza with a “Fire Nico, sell the team” sign.
Fans, many of whom were sporting Doncic jerseys, cheered and pumped their fists as it drove by the arena.
Another truck later drove by with a sign that read “Inside Traitor” with a picture of Harrison.
As 3 p.m. ET tipoff time approached, the crowd only swelled.
“Fire Nico” signs appeared to be the most common among the group along with a few heartfelt tributes to Doncic, such as “We Love 77” and “Loyalty never fades away #77Forever.”
However, there were also notable signs with creative acronyms and acrostics.
One used Harrison’s name to spell out: “Negligent, Incompetent, Corrupt, Oblivious.”
Another had the letters “MFFL,” which is usually used for “Mavs Fans For Life.”
Instead, the fan wrote: “Money First Fans Last.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was asked by reporters before the game about the protests outside the arena.
“The noise outside doesn’t affect your job,” Kidd said. We are judged on energy and effort. And understanding the fan does have a right to express. They paid their money for a game to come and express how they felt. We understand the sadness, the hurt, or confusion on the Luka trade, but we, as employees of the Mavs, have no choice but to push forward with the group we have. In due time I think they will cheer and be happy with the group that will play this afternoon.”
The three-team trade, which was announced in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, sent the sports world into shock as the Mavericks dealt Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers while Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick came back to Dallas.
That’s only one first-round draft pick for Doncic, one of the best two-way players in the league,
To put that in perspective, the Knicks gave away five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges in the offseason.
The third team involved in the February trade — the Jazz — received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.
Hours following the trade announcement, Mavericks fans angrily gathered outside American Airlines Center to protest.
The gathering even featured a blue casket to hold a fake funeral for the franchise, with Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” playing in the background.
Doncic had a short but revealing reaction in his first comments after the chaos.
“That’s their decision, I have no comment on that. They made a decision, I don’t know why … I can’t do nothing about it,” he said Tuesday.
Harrison believes getting a center in Davis will help them “win now and in the future.
ESPN reported that Dallas had concerns over Doncic’s conditioning and lifestyle habits.
Since the trade, the Mavericks –who are 1-0 since the trade — have reportedly offered season ticket holders a refund for the remaining games of the schedule without Doncic.
