Mavericks Playing the Long Game in GM Search as Trade Deadline Looms
Nearly six weeks after parting ways with general manager Nico Harrison - the man behind last season’s controversial Luka Dončić trade - the Dallas Mavericks are showing no signs of rushing into a permanent replacement. According to league sources, the front office is expected to hold off on naming a full-time GM until the spring, well after the Feb. 5 trade deadline has come and gone.
In the meantime, the Mavericks are rolling with a two-headed interim setup: Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. And by all accounts, the organization is comfortable with that arrangement for the rest of the season. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the duo is expected to steer the ship through one of the most pivotal stretches of the year.
Finley and Riccardi at the Helm
Finley and Riccardi aren’t just placeholders - both are being considered for the permanent role. Finley, a 15-year NBA veteran and longtime member of the Mavericks’ front office, has been with the organization for over a decade. Before stepping into this interim role, he served as assistant GM and vice president of player personnel.
Riccardi, on the other hand, came to Dallas in 2022 after spending 13 years with the Brooklyn Nets. His resume includes a stint as GM of the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, and three seasons as Dallas’ assistant GM. Together, they bring a blend of player experience, scouting acumen, and front office know-how - qualities that are proving valuable as the Mavs navigate a critical point in their season.
Trade Deadline Decisions Ahead
Dallas is expected to field offers for Anthony Davis and other veteran pieces in the coming weeks, but don’t expect a fire sale. The organization has made it clear: they intend to stay competitive around 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg for the remainder of the season.
Since Davis returned from a left calf strain in late November, the Mavericks have gone 5-2 with him in the lineup. That stretch includes solid wins over the Nuggets, Rockets, and Pistons - a sign that this team, despite the front office shakeup, isn’t looking to punt on the year.
Learning from the Past
It’s no secret that the final stretch of Harrison’s tenure didn’t go as planned. His February trade that sent Dončić out of Dallas was widely criticized, and the return package didn’t move the needle.
Later, he flipped Quentin Grimes and a second-round pick for Caleb Martin - a move that hasn’t aged well. Martin has fallen out of the Mavericks’ rotation, while Grimes has carved out a key role off the bench in Philadelphia.
Then came the summer signing of D’Angelo Russell, brought in to address the team’s glaring need at point guard. But that move didn’t sit well with head coach Jason Kidd, and the fit has been questionable at best.
These missteps have shaped the Mavericks’ current approach. League sources indicate that the team will prioritize candidates with prior experience as a lead NBA executive when they resume their GM search.
That’s part of the reason why names like Dennis Lindsey have surfaced. Lindsey, who led the Utah Jazz front office from 2012 to 2021, spent last season in an advisory role with Dallas during their run to the NBA Finals.
He’s viewed as a potential external candidate when the search ramps up.
Patience Over Panic
For now, though, the Mavericks are content to play the long game. Whether the permanent GM comes from within - Finley or Riccardi - or from outside the organization, a decision isn’t expected anytime soon. The focus remains on the present: keeping the team competitive, maximizing Flagg’s rookie season, and making smart moves at the deadline.
Dallas may not have a full-time GM in place, but they’ve got a plan - and for now, that’s enough.