New NBA Rumors on Mavs' Top Targets for President of Basketball Ops. After Nico Harrison Exit

Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont reportedly is "aiming high" in his quest to find the team's next president of basketball operations and general manager after the Mavs parted ways with Nico Harrison last November.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated provided the details.

"Among the names on Dumont's wish list, per league sources: Oklahoma City executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and Boston president Brad Stevens. Cleveland top exec Koby Altman's name is also in the mix, a source said. Jason Kidd has had conversations throughout the season about transitioning to a front office role, sources say, though the Mavericks appear more inclined—for now—to keep Kidd on the bench to continue the development of Flagg.

"Most of these names are fanciful, of course (Stevens isn't going to Dallas, folks). But it strongly suggests that Dumont is looking for someone with a proven track record of success to lead the Mavericks moving forward."

It isn't uncommon to see successful general managers seemingly entrenched in one NBA spot leave for another. For example, the aforementioned Connelly left the Denver Nuggets for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022. Masai Ujiri previously left Denver for the Toronto Raptors in 2013.

So it's conceivable that Dumont could convince a GM from another team to head to Dallas. The Mavericks are an appealing team given that they have a budding superstar in Cooper Flagg to build around for the foreseeable future. The Mavs also have a lottery pick in a 2026 NBA draft that looks loaded on paper.

As far as the names mentioned, though, it's hard seeing any of them leave for Dallas, although the point of the report is that Dumont seems to be shooting for the stars. Sam Presti has found great success with OKC, the defending champions and a potential dynasty. He's also been with the organization for about two decades and could be a lifer. Brad Stevens has been phenomenal with the Celtics, and it's hard seeing him leave one of the most prestigious franchises in American sports. Connelly, last summer, opted into his final two seasons with the Wolves and will be with the squad through 2027 and presumably longer.

"Super happy here," Connelly said at his end-of-the-season press conference in June, per The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. "It's been great, not just working with the team, but this whole community really feels like home. I think you guys are stuck with me."

Altman has also done quite well with the Cavaliers, who extended his contract through 2029-30 last summer.

The Mavs fired Harrison last November after a 3-8 start. Harrison orchestrated the infamous Luka Dončić trade, which has turned out to be disastrous for a franchise currently sitting with a 24-51 record, third-last in the Western Conference.