The Dallas Mavericks have begun canvassing some of the NBA’s most prominent front-office figures as they look for a new head of basketball operations, according to separate reports from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and veteran insider Marc Stein.
Governor Patrick Dumont is said to be exploring whether elite executives such as Brad Stevens of the Celtics and Sam Presti of the Thunder might be attainable. Mannix also lists Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman, while Stein adds Spurs CEO R.C. Buford to the team’s wish list.
Both reporters caution that luring championship-winning decision-makers like Stevens or Presti is considered unlikely. Stein characterizes Dumont’s approach as “due diligence” designed to gauge the availability of the league’s best minds.
Timberwolves president Tim Connelly is another target under consideration. His contract in Minnesota expires at season’s end, and some rivals believe he could depart. Dallas recently hired former Timberwolves executive Ethan Casson to run business operations, but the Wolves are reportedly eager to negotiate a new deal with Connelly.
The name most frequently linked to Dallas by Stein’s sources is former Warriors general manager Bob Myers. Myers accepted a lucrative post last fall with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment—owners of the 76ers and other teams—making his availability uncertain.
Head coach Jason Kidd held preliminary talks about a possible front-office transition, Mannix reports, but both he and Stein say Kidd is expected to remain on the bench and collaborate with the eventual hire.
Stein notes that several high-ranking assistants around the league have expressed informal interest in the Mavericks vacancy. The formal search is not expected to accelerate until after the regular season, and current co-interim general managers Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley remain in the running.
Dumont is leading the process personally, according to Stein. Speaking with reporters Tuesday, team CEO Rick Welts said the club is casting a wide net: “There is no specific set of characteristics… It’s the most important decision the organization is going to make for the coming seasons, so we are going to take our time and get it right.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
