The Dallas Mavericks are taking their time when it comes to finding a long-term replacement for former general manager Nico Harrison, who was let go back in November. Since then, the team has handed the reins to Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim GMs-and from the looks of it, that setup isn’t changing anytime soon.
According to league sources, Dallas isn’t expected to name a new head of basketball operations for several months. In fact, it’s looking more and more likely that Finley and Riccardi will steer the front office through the February 5 trade deadline-and potentially through the end of the season.
That doesn’t mean they’re just keeping the seats warm. Both Finley and Riccardi are reportedly in the mix for the permanent role, and they’ll have a real chance to prove their value during this interim stretch. But team owner Patrick Dumont is believed to be prioritizing candidates with prior experience leading an NBA front office-someone who’s been through the wars, made the tough calls, and understands the full scope of basketball operations at the highest level.
When Dallas does kick off its official search-likely in the spring-they’re expected to go wide with it. This won’t be a quick, internal-only decision. The Mavericks are looking for a leader who can help shape the franchise’s long-term vision and maximize the talent already in place.
One name that’s already surfaced: Dennis Lindsey. He’s a former GM of the Utah Jazz, currently working in Detroit’s front office, and has ties to Dallas as a former advisor. He also has support from minority owner Mark Cuban, which could give him a leg up once the search begins in earnest.
For now, though, it’s Finley and Riccardi in the driver’s seat. With the trade deadline looming and playoff positioning on the line, their decisions over the next few weeks could not only shape the Mavericks’ immediate future-but also determine whether they’re viewed as long-term answers for the job.