Unless you’ve actively dodged the news this morning, you’ve probably already heard the news: the Nico Harrison era in Dallas, Texas, is finally over. Mavs fans finally got what they’ve been calling for since February, Harrison’s firing. But if you thought that would be the end of the chaos, think again. Because somehow, owner Patrick Dumont decided to pour gasoline on the flames by releasing an open letter to Mavericks fans, and it’s a complete PR train wreck.
Let’s be real. According to BarstoolSports, everyone knew Nico Harrison was in deep water after that Luka trade. You don’t need a degree in basketball analytics to see how catastrophic that move was. But what’s been conveniently ignored up until now is that Nico didn’t make that decision in a vacuum. Someone had to greenlight the deal, and that someone was Texas NBA owner Patrick Dumont and the rest of the Mavs ownership group.
So, when word got out that Dumont was going to address the fanbase with an open letter, Mavs Nation collectively held its breath. Maybe, just maybe, he’d own up to the mess. Maybe he’d admit that the organization, top to bottom, made a massive mistake. Spoiler alert: he didn’t.
Patrick Dumont Arguably Makes Things Worse
Instead of taking any shred of accountability, Dumont’s letter came across as a glorified finger-pointing exercise. He basically dumped everything on Nico and tried to spin it as a new chapter of “hope” and “commitment.” The highlight, or lowlight, depending on how you see it, came when Dumont wrote:
“Thank you for your support, thank you for holding us accountable, thank you for your passion and for your patience. You deserve transparency and a team that reflects your spirit.”
Excuse me? Accountability and transparency? From the guy who approved the Luka trade and has yet to even mention it by name? The irony is almost impressive. Fans immediately called out the empty language. How can you thank supporters for holding you accountable while avoiding every tough question and refusing to admit your own mistakes? “He still has no idea why Mavs fans are so mad,” wrote one via X.
If this was Patrick Dumont’s idea of earning trust back from the people of Texas, it backfired in spectacular fashion. The letter reads less like a heartfelt message to fans and more like a corporate PR statement run through ChatGPT and a focus group. It’s all buzzwords and zero substance.
And that’s the problem. The Mavs’ mess isn’t just about one bad GM. It’s about an ownership group that’s been asleep at the wheel. Dumont’s letter could’ve been a chance to reset the narrative, show fans that leadership actually learned something. Instead, it just confirmed what many already suspected: this front office still doesn’t get it.
Can The Dallas Mavericks Bounce Back?
The kicker came when Dumont tried to reassure fans by saying he’s “Fully committed to the success of the Mavericks.” Yeah, because nothing says “commitment” like approving one of the worst trades in franchise history and then pretending you had nothing to do with it.
To be clear, nobody’s defending Nico Harrison here. The guy’s record speaks for itself, and the Mavs’ roster is a mess. But what fans deserve, and didn’t get, is honesty. Because let’s be honest, Harrison’s early moves were actually solid. Then suddenly, everything went off the rails right after the team changed ownership, and Luka was up for a supermax extension. Coincidence? Maybe. But it sure raises questions that Dumont conveniently avoided. Now, whoever takes over the basketball side of things is stepping into an impossible situation. No future assets. Two injury-prone stars are creeping into their 30s. And a fanbase that’s officially out of patience.
So yeah, Mavs fans might be happy that Harrison is gone, but they’re not stupid. They know the real problem goes deeper than the GM. Dumont’s letter was supposed to calm things down, but instead it just reminded everyone who’s really to blame for this disaster.
If the Mavericks were hoping to turn the page, they’ll need a lot more than a few hollow paragraphs and recycled corporate clichés. Because right now, “thank you for your patience” feels less like gratitude and more like a warning: this ride’s about to get a whole lot bumpier.
