Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has been under fire since the Luka Doncic trade to Los Angeles. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, he is expected to be fired on Tuesday morning during a 10 a.m. CT meeting scheduled with team governor Patrick Dumont.
Fans have chanted “Fire Nico” since the Doncic trade. The trade and the Mavs form have prompted the change with Dumont privately admitting regrets about the deal. Nico Harrison reportedly convinced Dumont, whose family acquired a majority stake in the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in December 2023, that signing Doncic to a supermax contract was a poor investment due to his physical conditioning.
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Doncic’s replacement Anthony Davis has been mostly out due to injuries. He has played in 14 regular-season games for the Mavericks since his move from Los Angeles.
Charania disclosed that Assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are being promoted to lead the Mavs’ basketball operations department on an interim basis.
Let’s take a look at the top five candidates to replace Nico Harrison.
Top 5 Candidates to Replace Nico Harrison
#5. Bobby Webster
Toronto Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster will be a top candidate to replace Nico Harrison. His championship-winning credentials and ability to construct smart rosters will excite the Mavericks’ ownership.
He comes with a lot of experience from working with the league as well. He worked with the NBA’s Labor Relations Committee during the negotiations for the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 2011 and served as the NBA’s Associate Director for Salary Cap Management before he joined the Toronto Raptors’ front office in June 2013.
The downside to this will be pricing him away from Toronto. He was promoted to head of basketball operations and extended his contract with the Raptors on Aug. 18.
#5. Masai Ujiri
Joining Webster is a familiar name in the person of former Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri. He is regarded as one of the best executives in the league with championship credentials and comes with experience as a former scout.
He won’t come cheap. However, his 2013 NBA Executive of the Year award will convince the ownership and fans that he has what it takes to take Dallas back to the top.
#3. Dennis Lindsey
Another excellent candidate to replace Nico Harrison is Detroit Pistons’ Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey. He has experience working with the Mavericks, having served as an advisor in 2023.
Dumont will be impressed with his resume. He was General Manager of the Utah Jazz (2012-2019) and was once assistant General Manager for both the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
#2. Matt Riccardi
A familiar face in the front office Matt Riccardi. He is reportedly manning an interim GM position.
He spent time with the Brooklyn Nets’ front office before he arrived at Dallas in August of 2022 as the Senior Director of Pro Personnel. After a year in that role, he was promoted to assistant GM in 2023.
His elevation to the role will signal continuity and he also has strong relationships with players and staff. Riccardi has also begun to take on more visibility in the Dallas media and organisational structure. However, he lacks the deep track record of being a full General Manager.
#1. Michael Finley
Another familiar face within the Mavericks organization is Michael Finley. The former player has been in Dallas’ front office as Vice President of Basketball Operations since 2013.
His ties with the fans as a former Mavericks All-Star will be helpful after a contentious General Manager era of Nico Harrison.
Whoever the Mavs decide on, will have to unite the fanbase and make tough decisions to return Dallas to the success experienced before Doncic’s shocking trade.
Edited by Ubong Richard
