Part 8/10:
The crux of the Mavericks' struggle lies in accountability and communication with their players. Harrison’s admission that they engaged solely with the Los Angeles Lakers about the trade effectively undermined their negotiating position. Failing to consider bids from other teams might suggest a reckless disregard for optimizing the return on their most prized asset.
Transparency in sports management typically enhances trust between players and management. By failing to inform their athletes, or in this case, Dončić, about the ongoing discussions, the Mavericks potentially poisoned the well in their relationship with one of the league's brightest stars.