Dallas Mavericks GM Search: 5 Top Candidates Ahead of NBA Draft
The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2024‑25 season with two first‑round selections and an urgent need for a permanent general manager after dismissing Nico Harrison in November.
Since Harrison’s departure, co‑interim general managers Matt Riccardi and former player Michael Finley have overseen roster moves, including the high‑profile trade that sent Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy to Washington for multiple picks.
Team governor Patrick Dumont has indicated that both Riccardi and Finley remain on the shortlist, yet the organization is also scouting external executives with proven front‑office experience.
“There’s no specific set of characteristics,” Mavericks CEO Rick Welts told reporters in March, emphasizing the breadth of candidates and the importance of a deliberate hiring process.
The franchise’s recent history includes a controversial Luka Dončić trade in February 2025, a move that heightened scrutiny of the front office and underscored the need for strong leadership.
Below are five executives identified by league sources as potential successors to Harrison, each bringing a distinct résumé and set of achievements.
- Bob Myers
- Tim Connelly
- Masai Ujiri
- Dennis Lindsey
- Matt Riccardi
Bob Myers stepped down as president of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors after a three‑year tenure that produced two NBA Executive of the Year awards and three championships.
Following his Warriors stint, Myers spent time as an ESPN analyst before assuming the role of president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a multi‑team ownership group that includes the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.
Rick Welts worked closely with Myers during the Warriors’ championship runs, and sources describe him as one of the most vocal advocates for Myers within NBA circles.
Recruiting Myers would give Dallas immediate credibility, yet league insiders note potential reluctance to leave California and to resign from his current executive duties.
Tim Connelly, currently the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, has built competitive rosters in Denver and Minnesota, forging strong relationships with stars Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards.
Connelly’s reputation for bold moves includes the 2022 trade for Rudy Gobert, a deal initially criticized but later credited with helping Minnesota reach consecutive Western Conference Finals.
Mavericks president Ethan Casson, a former Minnesota executive, can personally vouch for Connelly, adding a layer of familiarity to the pursuit.
Connelly has one year left on his Timberwolves contract, and it remains unclear whether Minnesota would permit him to interview with Dallas.
Masai Ujiri, the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year, guided the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in 2019 after acquiring Kawhi Leonard in 2018.
Ujiri’s 12‑year tenure in Toronto produced eight playoff appearances and a reputation for bold, high‑impact transactions.
After parting ways with the Raptors in June, Ujiri retained an ownership stake in the upcoming WNBA franchise Toronto Tempo and expressed a desire to win another NBA title.
His charismatic, media‑savvy style could address the public‑relations challenges that hampered Harrison’s tenure.
Dennis Lindsey, a native Texan and former Baylor player, served as an adviser to the Mavericks during their 2023‑24 run to the NBA Finals.
Lindsey’s executive career began with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs before he became Utah Jazz general manager in 2012, leading the Jazz to a 391‑327 record and five playoff berths over nine seasons.
Mark Cuban, a minority owner, has publicly supported Lindsey’s candidacy, though some league sources suggest Cuban’s backing could be a double‑edged sword.
Currently the second‑in‑command under Trajan Langdon with the Detroit Pistons, Lindsey helps oversee a roster that secured the No. 1 Eastern Conference seed.
Matt Riccardi, a Plano, Texas native, spent 12 years with the Brooklyn Nets before joining Dallas four seasons ago, rising to assistant general manager.
Riccardi led the Mavericks’ initiative to explore Anthony Davis trade scenarios and was instrumental in the February deal that yielded two first‑round and three second‑round picks.
Governor Dumont reportedly views the Davis trade favorably, citing the financial relief and limited on‑court contribution from Davis as positives.
Despite his involvement in recent transactions, Riccardi’s candidacy is considered a long shot by some analysts due to the high‑profile missteps surrounding the Dončić trade.
The Mavericks’ draft assets position the franchise to reshape its roster, making the choice of general manager a pivotal factor in leveraging those picks.
| Pick | Round | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025‑01 | First | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2025‑02 | First | Dallas Mavericks |
Dallas currently sits near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, making the upcoming draft and subsequent free‑agency period crucial for competitive renewal.
Strategically, a new GM must balance immediate roster improvements—such as acquiring a complementary piece for Luka Dončić—with long‑term talent development, particularly regarding the highly touted prospect Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the 2024 top‑ranked high‑school forward, is projected to be a cornerstone for the Mavericks, and his eventual contract negotiations will test any incoming executive’s ability to sell a compelling vision.
In addition to player acquisitions, the chosen general manager will oversee salary‑cap management, ensuring the team remains financially flexible while retaining its core.
The Mavericks’ ownership structure—led by governor Patrick Dumont and his son‑in‑law, Miriam Adelson—places a premium on stability and sustained success, further raising the stakes of this hiring decision.
All candidates must navigate the franchise’s recent controversies, including public criticism of the Dončić trade and the handling of the Anthony Davis transaction.
Ultimately, the Mavericks aim to secure a leader who can blend aggressive talent‑acquisition tactics with prudent roster construction, positioning Dallas as a perennial contender.
