The new general manager for the Dallas Mavericks has not yet been chosen. As of this writing, Matt Riccardi and former NBA player Michael Finley have been appointed as the organization's interim general managers. This decision was made after the Mavericks relieved Nico Harrison from the position in November 2025.
Harrison was let go by the franchise after he orchestrated the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Since he arrived in 2018, Doncic has been a fan favorite. The previous season, he guided the Mavericks to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
The trade was not well-received by fans, despite the Mavericks receiving the No. 1 pick and drafting Cooper Flagg. Due to several injuries, Davis only appeared in 29 games for the team before being traded to the Washington Wizards at the 2025–26 deadline.
Michael Finley is Ready to be the Mavericks' General Manager
On Wednesday, the team had their 2026 Mavs Ball in Dallas. Finley was questioned about the possibility of being promoted to general manager during the occasion.
"I think I am Dallas. I'm everything Dallas is about," Finley said. "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."
Michael Finley on why he feels ready to potentially take the jump to be the Mavericks' GM:
"I think I am Dallas. I'm everything Dallas is about. 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… pic.twitter.com/OQhFmflRYV
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) March 20, 2026
The Mavericks hired Finley as the assistant vice president of basketball operations in 2017. The following year, he had the role of full vice president.
Finley has been involved with the players since he started in his role. During the Mavericks' title run in 2024, he went viral for taking away a can of beer from Doncic. On K&C Masterpiece sports talk show on 105.3 The Fan, the former NBA player explained why he took it away.
"I leave the court. I see number 77 standing over there having a beer, and I say, ‘Congratulations, young fella, you definitely deserve that beer.' And he's like, ‘Thanks, man, thanks.' I leave him," Finley said.
Finley said that he found the social media team frozen while the team was celebrating. The crew informed the executive that the beer prevented them from taking a picture of Doncic with his father. Finley encouraged them to take the beer out of the star player's hand. However, they didn't want to do it, resulting in him doing it himself.
"So when you watch the video, I go take the beer, I hug Luka again, and that's why Luka looked like, ‘Man, what are you doing? We just talked about this and you said it was cool'."
Finley said that he eventually gave the beer back after the photo was taken.
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