Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 22, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Jamie Schwaberow, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP

LOS ANGELES -- Beleaguered Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday defended his decision to trade away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, insisting he had "no regrets" over the deal.

Harrison has become a hate-figure amongst Mavericks fans in the wake of the shock trade in February that sent Doncic to Los Angeles with Anthony Davis heading in the opposite direction.

Chants of "Fire Nico" have been a regular occurrence at Mavs games ever since, and rang out again last week when Doncic and the Lakers played in Dallas.

READ: Tearful Doncic scores 45 on return to Dallas as Lakers clinch playoff spot

However, in comments to Dallas media reported on Tuesday, Harrison was adamant that the decision to move on Doncic was in the best interests of the franchise.

"There's no regrets on the trade," Harrison was quoted as saying by ESPN.

"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."

Although Doncic guided Dallas to last season's NBA Finals, Harrison maintained that the acquisition of Davis's defensive talents would enable Dallas to challenge for championships in future.

READ: Doncic hungry for titles after shock Lakers trade

READ: LeBron relishing 'special' Doncic double act

"Our philosophy, like I said, going forward is defense wins championships and we're built on defense. And this trade cements us for that," Harrison said.

Harrison was speaking ahead of the Mavericks' must-win play-in tournament game in California on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings, where a defeat will mark the end of the team's season.

© Agence France-Presse

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