Report: Haralabos Voulgaris, Mavericks Part Ways; Part of Rumored Front-Office Drama
September 23, 2021
The Dallas Mavericks are continuing to overhaul their front office.
The organization and Haralabos Voulgaris, their director of quantitative research and development who was hired in 2018, have parted ways according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
Voulgaris confirmed he is no longer with the team with a tweet that explained he is waiting for his contract to expire.
Voulgaris, a former professional gambler, reportedly rose to power beyond his job title within the Dallas organization. A report from The Athletic shortly after the 2020-21 season asserted that Voulgaris seized power from longtime president and general manager Donnie Nelson.
According to the report, Voulgaris had the power to initiate transactions and dictate playing rotations. Voulgaris' presence has caused a rift with Mavericks star Luka Doncic, according to the report.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban immediately refuted the report when it came out. But within the next few days, Nelson was fired and longtime head coach Rick Carlisle parted ways with the team.
Jason Kidd replaced Carlisle, and the Mavs hired former Nike executive Nico Mannion as president and general manager on June 28. Doncic signed a five-year, $207 million rookie supermax extension in August.
A month after his hiring, Mannion was asked about Voulgaris and said he had yet to speak to him. He indicated Voulgaris' days with the organization were numbered.
"I understand how much chaos he’s caused," Harrison said during an appearance on 1310 The Ticket on July 26. "I really don’t even want to get into it about him. I really just focus on the people that are here and who we’re working with."