Part 6/10:
Navigating PR: The Crisis Response
The aftermath of the trade has placed the Mavericks under a microscope, with commentators and analysts swiftly lashing out at what many viewed as a miscalculated maneuver. In addressing the fallout, one has to consider the Mavericks' crisis PR strategy, which seemed to pivot toward damage control almost immediately. They desperately sought to clarify the rationale behind the trade rather than simply defend it.
Harrison’s assertions framing the trade as necessary for the team’s immediate and future success drew further criticism. The vague promise of aligning with current and future ambitions, including the retrieval of defensive prowess, masked the core issue—whether Luka Dončić, at just 25, was indeed dispensable.