The search for a new general manager by the Dallas Mavericks is set to extend well beyond the upcoming NBA trade deadline, as recent developments indicate. Nearly six weeks have passed since the Mavericks made the significant decision to dismiss Nico Harrison, who was instrumental in orchestrating last year’s controversial Luka Dončić trade. According to sources within the league, it appears that the Mavericks will not rush to appoint a permanent replacement for Harrison and may take several months before making a final choice.
As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, it seems almost certain that the team will continue with co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi at the helm for the duration of this season, or at least until the deadline. Sources have indicated that the Mavericks are comfortable with this interim arrangement and plan to wait until spring to initiate a thorough GM search, allowing them to explore a diverse range of candidates.
In the meantime, the Mavericks' front office is expected to receive offers for players like Anthony Davis and other seasoned veterans in the weeks ahead. However, as reported by The Athletic on December 15, the organization has expressed a desire to stay competitive while developing their promising 2025 No. 1 draft pick, Cooper Flagg, throughout the current season. Since Davis made his return from a left calf strain in late November, the Mavericks have recorded a commendable 5-2 run, achieving notable victories against teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons.
While both Finley and Riccardi are under consideration for the permanent GM position, league insiders suggest that the Mavericks will prioritize candidates with prior experience as an NBA executive, especially in light of the challenges faced during Harrison's final months with the team. Notably, in February, Harrison traded Dončić for what many considered to be a disappointing return and subsequently exchanged Quentin Grimes and a second-round pick for Caleb Martin, who has since seen a decline in play and fallen out of Dallas’ rotation—while Grimes has become a key contributor for the Philadelphia 76ers.
In an effort to fill a glaring void at the point guard position, the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell during the free agency period in July, despite apparent reservations from head coach Jason Kidd regarding this move.
Finley has an impressive background, having played 15 seasons in the NBA and now serving his 12th year in the Mavericks' front office, where he previously held roles as the assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel. Riccardi joined the Mavericks in 2022 after spending 13 years with the Brooklyn Nets, where he served as the assistant GM for three seasons and even took on the role of GM for the Long Island Nets, the team's G League affiliate.
In November, reports surfaced suggesting that Dennis Lindsey, a former executive with the Detroit Pistons, could be a candidate to succeed Harrison. Lindsey enjoyed a successful tenure as the GM of the Utah Jazz from 2012 to 2021 and briefly worked with the Mavericks in an advisory capacity during the 2023-24 season, contributing to their playoff run that year.
Ultimately, whether the Mavericks decide to promote from within their current ranks or seek external talent for their new general manager, a final decision is unlikely to materialize in the immediate future, according to league sources.
