Mavericks Hit All-Star Break at a Crossroads, Eyes on GM Search and the Cooper Flagg Era
The All-Star break has arrived, but there’s little time for rest in Dallas. The Mavericks may not have any players suiting up for the weekend festivities, but they’re still making headlines-just not the kind fans were hoping for. With the team struggling on the court and major changes unfolding off it, the focus now shifts to one of the most important decisions this franchise will make in years: hiring a new general manager.
Ownership Rumors and a New Arena Vision
The drama started with whispers of a potential sale. Reports surfaced suggesting that franchise owners Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law, team governor Patrick Dumont, were entertaining offers-possibly from a Dallas-based investment group. But Dumont quickly shut that down, reaffirming the family’s commitment to the Mavericks and the city.
That commitment seems to extend beyond just words. Dumont, who is set to take over as CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. on March 1, has made it clear that he plans to oversee the construction of a new arena before the team’s lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031. His message: the Mavericks aren’t going anywhere.
But while long-term infrastructure plans are important, the more immediate concern is the direction of the basketball team itself-especially after a stretch of decisions that have left fans frustrated and confused.
A Franchise-Altering Trade and the Fallout
The Mavericks’ front office has been in flux since Mark Cuban sold his majority stake in late 2023. At the time, Cuban believed he’d retain control over basketball operations. That notion didn’t last long.
Nico Harrison, the GM Cuban brought in back in 2021 after a successful run with Nike, quickly gained favor with the new ownership group. That influence culminated in one of the most shocking trades in recent NBA memory: Luka Dončić, the face of the franchise, was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1, 2025.
The return? Anthony Davis-a superstar, yes, but one with a long injury history.
And in this case, Davis was already sidelined indefinitely. The move was met with immediate backlash from Mavericks fans, and it didn’t take long for Dumont to respond.
Harrison was let go, and Dumont pivoted again, this time shipping Davis to the Washington Wizards in a move that signaled a clear shift in philosophy.
The message was unmistakable: the Mavericks are now building around Cooper Flagg.
The Cooper Flagg Era Begins
At just 19 years old, Flagg has already taken the league by storm. The Rookie of the Year frontrunner has lived up to-and arguably surpassed-the hype, showing off a versatile, high-IQ game that has fans and analysts alike buzzing. He’s become the new cornerstone, and everything the Mavericks do from here on out needs to be centered around maximizing his potential.
That starts with the next general manager.
No Room for Error in GM Search
Dumont has indicated he’s likely to wait until the offseason to seriously begin interviewing candidates. That timeline makes sense-many of the most qualified names are currently employed and won’t be available to talk until their seasons wrap up.
But make no mistake: this hire is critical. After the Harrison experiment, which saw the Mavericks hand the keys to someone with no prior front office experience, there’s little appetite for another unconventional choice. According to league sources, Dallas is expected to prioritize experience this time around.
As one source put it: “After Nico, there’s not much room for creativity.”
Currently, the team is being co-managed on an interim basis by two familiar faces: longtime front office executive Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. There’s been some chatter that head coach Jason Kidd could be considered for a front office role-similar to what Brad Stevens did in Boston-but that seems unlikely, especially given Kidd’s recent contract extension.
What’s at Stake
The Mavericks are at a pivotal moment. They’ve already made two massive moves-trading Dončić, then flipping Davis-and both were made with an eye on the future.
That future is Cooper Flagg. His emergence gives the franchise a rare second chance to build around a generational talent.
But that opportunity comes with pressure. The next GM needs to be someone who understands how to build a roster around a dynamic young star, someone who can navigate the challenges of modern team-building while avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued the Mavs in recent years.
This isn’t just about correcting past mistakes-it’s about setting the tone for the next decade of Mavericks basketball.
If Dallas gets this hire right, they’ll have the foundation to build something special around Flagg. But if they miss again, the consequences could linger for years.
One thing’s for sure: the margin for error is gone.