The Chase Center was glowing with a special kind of energy yesterday. An emotional audience bore witness to the Warriors retiring one of their prideful jersey numbers, No. 9, in honor of Andre Iguodala. But as the spotlight shined brightly on him, it wasn’t the only thing capturing attention, some of it turned to the courtside too. What was so special? Well, after the secret coffee shop meeting that forever changed the NBA’s script, general managers Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison met again. However, this time, the atmosphere was a bit tense. One wore a smile, and the other looked disappointed.
Before you jump to conclusions, let us clarify: the chagrin isn’t a fickle of our imagination. It’s the eagle-eyed fans who noticed it. Pelinka was just greeting someone with a quick one-harm hug and a smile when Harrison came. His smile dropped, the two exchanged a few words (that so many of us are dying to hear), and he backed away from the scene. At the same time, Harrison was backing away to drop into his seat when he spotted someone else to greet with the kind of enthusiastic energy that he couldn’t muster for Pelinka. It’s some way for two old friends who meet in aesthetic coffee shops for what some would assume is an innocent catchup. But given that the meeting preceded the controversial Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, this doesn’t come entirely as a surprise. The Mavericks GM Harrison has faced intense backlash, with some even turning into death threats.
Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison greet one another before Andre Iguodala’s retirement ceremony. pic.twitter.com/mS4qa7AEOH
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) February 23, 2025
Moreover, Davis is sidelined with a left adductor strain, while Doncic recently dropped a 32-point performance against the mighty Nuggets. So, it’s hard not to see who’s likely having the last laugh in this situation. And if you’re still confused, don’t worry, ESPN’s got you covered.
To add fuel to the fire, the media outlet showed a split screen of Pelinka and Harrison’s faces as the Mavs were trailing against the Warriors. Not just once, but multiple times. They sure know what the fans want to see. However, what really caught the attention on social media was their brief greeting. And the NBA community couldn’t help but wonder what the duo’s next move will be. Hint: it’s something to watch for this summer.
NBA Community speculates Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison’s next step
You can’t expect a moment like the one between Rob Pelinka and Harrison not to go viral. As soon as it hit every corner of the NBA fans’ X feed, they wasted no time flooding it with hilarious comments. “Pelinka and Nico talking about another ‘secret trade,’” one fan wrote. The trade earlier in the month had come so unexpectedly that it took a while for people to wrap their heads around it. The idea of Doncic being moved so suddenly, without any prior hint, was almost impossible to fathom. So, this fan thought what went down in the coffee shop might be happening again on the courtside, as the Warriors had just taken down Dallas 126-102. Others quickly echoed the same thought.
Pelinka and Nico talking about another “secret trade “.
— GE (@Blipz300) February 24, 2025
One of the comments read, “Last time they linked up Lakers got Luka .. Lakers getting Lively now for Alex Len.” Dereck Lively II had great chemistry with Doncic last season. On the other hand, the Lakers were looking to strengthen their center position which is why they acquired Alex Len from the Kings. Now, the fan thinks they could swap Len for Lively to add more depth to the squad, making it a smart move to boost the roster.
Last time they linked up Lakers got Luka .. Lakers getting Lively now for Alex Len
— . (@PhillyPhilly666) February 23, 2025
“Rob about to send Nico Bronny, 2 seconds for PJ Washington in the summer,” someone predicted. Bronny James hasn’t exactly turned into the sensation the Lakers want. With the Mavs’ PJ Washington stepping up as a strong presence on both ends of the court this season, the fan believes Pelinka could trade LeBron’s 20-year-old son along with two second-round picks for Washington. After all, he’s just the kind of player the Lakers need moving forward.
Rob about to send Nico Bronny, 2 seconds for PJ Washington in the summer
— Gary Riley (@garyoriley) February 24, 2025
Another fan humorously commented, “Nico saw rob and immediately started walking away from him. Like, oh no, not you, not again.” The fan was poking fun at how things went south for Harrison after the Doncic trade, suggesting that Harrison was trying to avoid Pelinka before another potential disaster unfolded.
Nico saw rob and immediately started walking away from him. Like, oh no, not you, not again
— stu33 (@stu33) February 24, 2025
Meanwhile, a fan pointed out, “Pelinka has a whole new swagger and aura after ripping off Nico.” There’s no denying both teams got a superstar in their deals, but Doncic is only 25 and has a ton of potential to grow. On the flip side, while AD’s talent is not new, his injury history keeps him off the court for extended periods, which could make things tough for the Mavs. So, the popular belief is that Rob Pelinka came out as the gainer in the trade, as the fan explained in their comment.
Pelinka has a whole new swagger and aura after ripping off Nico
— Amit Patel (@unc9876) February 23, 2025
What do you think about Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka’s meeting? Do you believe something is brewing behind the scenes? Let us know in the comments below!
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