The Dallas Mavericks are yet to name their new general manager after firing Nico Harrison, although they could make a hire in-house.
After firing Nico Harrison ten months after the infamous Luka Doncic trade, the Dallas Mavericks have yet to name an official replacement, elevating Michael Finley to the interim spot. Mark Cuban, as well, has returned to an advisory role, although it seems that neither of them will take the official role.
Of course, Dirk Nowitzki's strained relationship with the team could be on the mend after the Mavericks fired Harrison, although he is signed to Amazon Prime as a studio analyst, so the Mavericks would likely have to buy out that contract.
An internal hire seems unlikely, or else the Mavericks would have simply already made the move, although a familiar face has been linked to the front office job.
Jason Kidd Emerges as GM Frontrunner
Before coaching the Mavericks, Kidd held head coaching jobs in Milwaukee and Brooklyn, although he has never had free rein of an organization. Would Dallas be content with him serving in two roles?
Tim Cato made it clear last week that Kidd makes sense as the next general manager. He seems well-liked by the roster and has been around before. Right now, there is no coach/GM wearing both hats, although Kidd could certainly juggle both jobs.
Of course, if Dallas wanted Kidd to be promoted, it would have already happened. Experienced general managers like Troy Weaver, David Griffin, and Calvin Booth, among others, are currently in lesser roles or are free agents, although they would run into the same problem Harrison had in Dallas.
"GMs with experience, why are you available?" asked YouTuber Slighly Biased on the Locked on Mavs podcast.
Do the Mavericks really want someone else's reject? Or would they prefer to hire an unproven whiz kid and hope that they pan out? It's a recipe that's worked for successful teams before. The Seattle SuperSonics poached a little-known Sam Presti from the San Antonio Spurs, and the rest is history.
"Honestly, is there some value to just go, 'Alright, Thunder, Thunder.com, front office, you're fourth in line behind Presti. Let me give you a phone call," Slightly Biased added. "Honestly, are we opposed to that? If you worked with Presti, come on down."
Fans might prefer a familair hire like Kidd, or a free agent, although there is risk involved there. The Mavericks are rebuilding, and it might be porudent to attach a new name to the next era of Dallas basketball.