Co-interim GMs Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley spoke about the current search for leadership of the Dallas Mavericks.
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks are nearing the end of the regular season, and while their poor record suggests an upcoming shift in attention toward the NBA Draft lottery, this offseason also marks a major stepping stone in solidifying the future of the franchise.
This summer the Mavericks will begin narrowing their search for the next general manager.
Since embattled former GM Nico Harrison was fired on Nov. 11, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley were named co-interim GMs due to their preview involvement in the front office as Harrison's assistants.
The pair had a moment to discuss the search for a permanent replacement at Thursday night's Mavs Ball that supports the franchise's foundation.
"I think it’s easy for Fin and myself," Riccardi said on how he interprets the search process. "All we care about is what’s best for the organization. Put the organization first in everything we do. Let the rest of it take care of itself."
Riccardi is a Plano native and grew up a fan of Finley's while he played for the Mavericks for nine of his 15 NBA seasons. He was candid about the experience of working for the team and alongside the player he cheered for.
"It's been a surreal experience, I'm enjoying every second of it, and I understand how important it is to be entrusted in this position, and gonna do the best I can for the Dallas Mavericks and for our fan base," Riccardi said.
The ultimate decision-making leader is team governor Patrick Dumont, who along with co-owner Miriam Adelson, also happens to be in the midst of a nasty battle with the Mavs' neighboring Dallas Stars in the NHL debating the future of the team's arena.
Dumont has been cordial in his few conversations about the GM vacancy, saying this summer will mark a pivotal point in the process to communicate with industry veterans who may be with other teams currently during the season.
Finley pitched himself as a potential candidate for the full-time position.
"I think I am Dallas. I’m everything Dallas is about," Finley said about why he thinks he could fit the role.
"I played here, through the good times and the bad times, and as a fan of the Mavericks, I know what it takes and I know what the fans are looking for. So I would love to have the chance to lead this franchise into the future and to ultimately championship contenders."
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts kept things consistent with what the MFFL fan base believes to be true about this era of Dallas basketball.
"We’re so excited to build the future of the Mavericks around the generational talent, Cooper Flagg," Welts said Thursday.
That factor will be a major focus going into this summer as the general manager search intensifies.
