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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Pro Basketball player Michael Finley attends LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER Los Angeles premiere, hosted by TWC, Budweiser and FIJI Water, Purity Vodka and Stack Wines, held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on August 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for TWC)
The Dallas Mavericks made the decision to fire Nico Harrison as GM earlier this season. It was a move that was made a few months too late, as his decision to trade Luka Doncic enraged the fanbase. Since that decision was made, the fans wanted him gone.
Harrison was fired, and Anthony Davis was also traded. The franchise is trying to start fresh with a new plan and a new general manager. Since Harrison was fired, the Mavericks have had former player Michael Finley as the interim GM. He was the one who decided to move Davis.
With the season winding down for Dallas, Finley is making a case to be the permanent GM when the regular season ends.
Michael Finley Believes he is the Best Choice to be Mavericks GM
Finley thinks he’s done enough in his limited time in the position to get the full-time gig next year. His case stems from the fact that he believes he knows what Dallas wants.
“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 are looking for. So I would love to have the chance to lead this franchise into the future and to ultimately championship contenders.”
Finley has tried to make some moves to better set the team up for next season. They are building around Cooper Flagg after landing the number-one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He’s not as good as Doncic yet, but he is still a fantastic piece to build around.
Next season, the Mavericks will be fully healthy. Kyrie Irving will return from his torn ACL. The team opted not to have him come back this year as they try to tank for another top draft pick. Next season, they will be in a better spot to compete for the playoffs.
Dallas Needs More Lottery Luck
If the Mavericks really want to compete for a playoff spot next season, they need more lottery luck. They are hoping to land a top-five pick for the second straight season. Doing so would give them another superstar to pair next to Flagg, regardless of what position they play.
Finley believes he is the best guy to facilitate the future of the franchise. However, the Mavericks will likely conduct a national search once the season is over. If they circle back to Finley after that search is done, then so be it. It would still behoove Patrick Dumont to do that.
The fans are already frustrated with how this season has gone. Dallas has the second-worst offense in the league. Next season, they should be better with Flagg having developed over an entire year of playing. The draft should help, as well.
Dallas fans are still frustrated that Doncic is playing so well for the Lakers at the moment. All they can do is move forward with the current roster that they have.