The Dallas Mavericks are setting their sights high as they search for a new leader in their front office. After parting ways with Nico Harrison earlier this season, the team is looking to make a splash with their next hire.
Harrison's tenure ended following a controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal, which netted minimal draft capital and an aging Anthony Davis, is already being labeled as one of the most infamous in sports history.
In the interim, team executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have stepped up to manage the front office. They made a strategic move at the trade deadline, sending Davis to the Washington Wizards in exchange for a more favorable package of two first-round picks and three second-round selections.
However, the Mavericks are not stopping there. Team governor Patrick Dumont is reportedly aiming to bring in one of the NBA's top executives to lead the franchise.
Among the names on their wish list is Brad Stevens, the Boston Celtics' president of basketball operations. Stevens has recently turned down interest from the North Carolina Tar Heels, who were hoping to secure him for their head-coaching position.
While it's unlikely Stevens would leave Boston, especially given his established role there, the Mavericks might consider an enticing offer that includes an ownership stake.
Other potential candidates include Tim Connelly, who made a similar move from the Denver Nuggets to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sam Presti, the Oklahoma City Thunder's executive vice president and general manager. Koby Altman from the Cleveland Cavaliers is also on the Mavericks' radar.
While the possibility of luring one of these top executives to Dallas remains, the more probable scenario is that these leaders will stay with their current teams. Dumont may need to explore other options to find the right person to guide the Mavericks into the future.