Next GM Watch

[khaled1987]

For my approach, who the candidate is doesn't really matter.  I allowed Luka to be traded and worse, my return was pitiful.  I trusted Nico's vision of win now.  While I might not want to take the hit of a long term rebuild, I need to trust someone's long term vision of what Cooper is, how to build around him, and what bits and pieces of the team should be kept and which should be used to try to fill our asset deficit.  Or maybe someone thinks we can win now or in the short term.  Ideally you'd want someone who has a long term vision, but can navigate things that might accelerate that vision (maybe you hit on the 2026 draft and Cooper's second year leap puts you ahead of pace).  I'd also interview a lot of candidates and a lot of candidates without ties to the organization.  That's not to say I wouldn't interview Lindsay or the co-GM tandem.

You see, that is actually a direction, a direction that you should have during the interview process. 

I think Killer has described my thoughts in a good way, it is like a coach, you need to hire one that fits the goals and the assets you have.

There is usually exceptions, if you can get your hands on a future HOF type of guy, in coaching that was like the Pacers getting back RC for example. They hired him and handled him the keys. For GM there is less obvious candidates in that regard, only Presti and to lesser extent Stevens I would consider as that guy atm.

[cow]

You see, that is actually a direction, a direction that you should have during the interview process. 

I think Killer has described my thoughts in a good way, it is like a coach, you need to hire one that fits the goals and the assets you have.

There is usually exceptions, if you can get your hands on a future HOF type of guy, in coaching that was like the Pacers getting back RC for example. They hired him and handled him the keys. For GM there is less obvious candidates in that regard, only Presti and to lesser extent Stevens I would consider as that guy atm.

My point is that I wouldn't go into the interview process with a mindset of "we need to tear this down" or "we need to make this current construction work", I need to go in open minded because of my lack of experience and recent flubs.  And even you are hellbent on any path, a good operator would intentionally select candidates that oppose that vision to see what holes can be poked in my plans.  There probably isn't a "correct" path forward and you know what they say about the best laid plans.

[F Gump]

I'm apparently different than most in how I would identify the right GM to hire.

I don't really care about the prospective GM's "vision" of the path ahead. (I think the vision takes care of itself. You are where you are.) I don't care about "which timeline" either. (I think that's a fan/media meme and fairly meaningless. The goal ALWAYS is to build a roster to win a title as soon as you can do it.)

Instead, I care about their ABILITY to execute roster-building moves in a masterful way. Knowing the right player to target, the right deal to get him here, executing deals in a way that includes wins at the margins (getting the "extra" to be added in your favor, rather than giving it away to make the deal happen).

[JamesConway912]

Stein: Dennis Lindsey would be interested in taking over as the Dallas Mavericks GM

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/199...97530?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

[Chicagojk]

Stein: Dennis Lindsey would be interested in taking over as the Dallas Mavericks GM

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/199...97530?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

 I think he also reported Bob Myers is not a candidate and can't even be a consultant due to his role with the Sixers organization.

[Scott41theMavs]

Stein: Dennis Lindsey would be interested in taking over as the Dallas Mavericks GM

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/199...97530?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

...and it hasn't happened yet because...?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

...and it hasn't happened yet because...?

Dumont hasn't opened his coffers yet..

[Mavs2021]

...and it hasn't happened yet because...?

He´s still trading us Duren, Stewart, Thompson and Ivey for AD before leaving Detroit.

[mvossman]

He´s still trading us Duren, Stewart, Thompson and Ivey for AD before leaving Detroit.

It is interesting that we were in the middle of the Grimes for THJ trade when he went to Detroit.

[michaeltex]

...

Instead, I care about their ABILITY to execute roster-building moves in a masterful way. Knowing the right player to target, the right deal to get him here, executing deals in a way that includes wins at the margins (getting the "extra" to be added in your favor, rather than giving it away to make the deal happen).

I think you hit the nail here. A couple years ago, DAL was an interesting team before the PJ/Gaff trade, but nobody was expecting a Finals run. 

My point is that the right guy should be able to come in, see what paths are available based on assets and find ways to improve over the current state. (granted, that's a low bar right now)

Having size back in the middle, and not in the training room, makes this team run a whole lot better. I don't know who stays and who goes, but add to the current core with a boost in scoring and we may be excited to not get in the lottery. (Rose colored glasses day!)

[KillerLeft]

I've seen some displeasure with Cuban's sudden involvement. I'm not a fan of many of the hallmarks of his era, but this resurfacing of him as a Mavs voice doesn't worry me, and here's why:

1) the MacMahon article goes a little out of its way in the end to make it clear that Cuban will never again be the decider of anything. It also overtly states that Harrison's successor will be in charge, just like Harrison was. I think Dumont got that part of the new process right, despite not having the requisite experience in basketball and/or running a pro sports team to realize Harrison wasn't qualified. 

2) BECAUSE I don't think we have to worry about Cuban being the decider, I think it's positive that he's back in the mix, because to whatever extent he's back at the table he'll have less influence than what he'd need to make things worse, I believe. So, since Cuban has far more ownership experience than Dumont, I think it's far more likely that he will help more than he hurts while we wait for them to decide on a GM. 

The real issue is: will the next GM be worthy or not? That's the fork in the road choice ahead whose outcome will determine whether this all starts to get better or continues to deteriorate.

I do worry somewhat over whose voice will be biggest in the room when it comes to choosing a GM, but since I'd be fine with Lindsey, that worry isn't about Cuban, so much. I do worry a little that others whose opinions carry weight in this search might not want Lindsey specifically because Cuban wants him.

[KillerLeft]

What I might be worried about a little more than some is this idea that they can wait until the off season to figure this GM thing out. It sounds good to say "just don't do anything this year" but that's not possible, I don't think.

What they are currently "doing" is deciding whether or not to keep trying to be competitive or go for the lottery pick. I imagine they'll be having discussions on that internally for quite some time, and I'd be very surprised if it was currently a unanimously held opinion to go either way. At some point between now and the trade deadline, they're going to have to make a decision, and I think it's naive of us to assume that either/both directions can be accomplished without making a move or two.

Can they tank without getting rid of talented players? Yes, but I bet they won't. They are a high tax team on a collision course with the 2nd apron, and I think it's likely they'll try to find a way to mitigate those circumstances in some way if/when they give up on this season.

And, if they decide to go for a playoff or play-in spot, I 100% promise they try to add a PG. Maybe another offensive creator on top of that. Maybe even more shooting. They're not going to wait on the off season for that stuff, either. In fact, I think it's more likely they'll "do stuff" if they decide to keep trying to win. Heck, they might even try to fix this season BEFORE eventually giving up on it, so we might have to worry about moves in both directions.

I get it - why rush this decision and not ensure you have an open field to get the absolute best option out there? Now that they've fired Harrison I wish they had done so over the summer to avoid this in-season difficulty, but I seriously worry what type of damage could be done with the ship while we wait for its next captain.

[mvossman]

What I might be worried about a little more than some is this idea that they can wait until the off season to figure this GM thing out. It sounds good to say "just don't do anything this year" but that's not possible, I don't think.

What they are currently "doing" is deciding whether or not to keep trying to be competitive or go for the lottery pick. I imagine they'll be having discussions on that internally for quite some time, and I'd be very surprised if it was currently a unanimously held opinion to go either way. At some point between now and the trade deadline, they're going to have to make a decision, and I think it's naive of us to assume that either/both directions can be accomplished without making a move or two.

Can they tank without getting rid of talented players? Yes, but I bet they won't. They are a high tax team on a collision course with the 2nd apron, and I think it's likely they'll try to find a way to mitigate those circumstances in some way if/when they give up on this season.

And, if they decide to go for a playoff or play-in spot, I 100% promise they try to add a PG. Maybe another offensive creator on top of that. Maybe even more shooting. They're not going to wait on the off season for that stuff, either. In fact, I think it's more likely they'll "do stuff" if they decide to keep trying to win. Heck, they might even try to fix this season BEFORE eventually giving up on it, so we might have to worry about moves in both directions.

I get it - why rush this decision and not ensure you have an open field to get the absolute best option out there? Now that they've fired Harrison I wish they had done so over the summer to avoid this in-season difficulty, but I seriously worry what type of damage could be done with the ship while we wait for its next captain.

Agree with all of this and the previous post.  I am thinking the fact that Lindsey has already expressed interest in the job suggests he could be hired mid season.  If that is the case I would prefer them to pull that trigger as soon as possible so assessments can be made and potentially moves that don't have to wait until the TDL can be done.

[JAYJAYBEE5]

This is a cool link to re-search if you're a mavs fan.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/staff-...Historical

[hakeemfaan]

One of the best articles I have read that summed up multiple aspects of why the trade was so bad:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-le...-mavericks

As for the next GM, go and check out who other basketball minds agree are solid candidates, than try to do what Cuban did. However, no matter who comes in, they have to come with the assurance that they can bring their own coach. It's a joke that Kidd was extended and Nico was fired 10 games in. If the leash was that short, Dumont should not have allowed an extension for Kidd. Dumont is so over his head here that it's not even funny.

[F Gump]

However, no matter who comes in, they have to come with the assurance that they can bring their own coach. 

Of course the new GM will decide a new coach, when the time comes. But he won't be tasked with "bringing a coach" with him anytime soon. No one thinks it's on the Mavs' plate right now to change coaches. 

The task at hand for the new GM is to figure out how to fix the roster, and to be able to negotiate trades and other moves expertly (rather than screw it all up further, like Nico). That's plenty.  

I would suggest that even if he didn't have a new contract, Kidd would probably be their preference anyhow to be the coach. For now, the players will be suffering through the misery of a lot of losing this season as the Mavs chase a good draft pick, and Kidd is the very sort of coach you want in that sort of situation -- he's deft at making a tank look like trying, he gets players to play hard, he's a very good developer of players (to make the most of a bad year), and he has superior buy-in from the players he coaches (which will help them ride out the awful year with less damage). And once the roster gets fixed from the ruin Nico brought to it, they will want a coach who can navigate a team to success in the playoffs, and Kidd has shown a superior ability in that area as well.

[hakeemfaan]

Of course the new GM will decide a new coach, when the time comes. But he won't be tasked with "bringing a coach" with him anytime soon. No one thinks it's on the Mavs' plate right now to change coaches. 

The task at hand for the new GM is to figure out how to fix the roster, and to be able to negotiate trades and other moves expertly (rather than screw it all up further, like Nico). That's plenty.  

I would suggest that even if he didn't have a new contract, Kidd would probably be their preference anyhow to be the coach. For now, the players will be suffering through the misery of a lot of losing this season as the Mavs chase a good draft pick, and Kidd is the very sort of coach you want in that sort of situation -- he's deft at making a tank look like trying, he gets players to play hard, he's a very good developer of players (to make the most of a bad year), and he has superior buy-in from the players he coaches (which will help them ride out the awful year with less damage). And once the roster gets fixed from the ruin Nico brought to it, they will want a coach who can navigate a team to success in the playoffs, and Kidd has shown a superior ability in that area as well.

 

Kidd is a little snake. He is also angling for the GM position by all accounts.  If rumors are to be believed, he also turned in the screws on Nico, once he realized Nico was on thin ice.   He specifically put Coop at the point because he was not happy with the DLo acquisition. What other things will he do if he's not happy with some of the moves of the new GM?  If I'm a GM, I'm extremely wary of working with him.  Sure the GM can cut him loose at that point, but it's so much energy and time wasted. 

Roster building and the GM having his own person can go hand in hand.

[F Gump]

"He is also angling for the GM position by all accounts." --- I don't think this is correct. And I don't think he's a realistic candidate for the job anyhow -- it's a way different job than coaching, with different skills required. 

In addition, imo if anyone sabotaged the Mav coach-GM relationship, and made Nico's job end, it was Nico, not Kidd. Nico killed the roster all on his own for no good reason (other than his own lack of skill as a GM), killing their chances to compete all by himself, he ruined the training/medical staff for no good reason, and he put the team in an EXTREME cap stranglehold over and over (for no good reason other than his lack of acumen in roster-building) that still exists and may even get worse before it gets better. If Kidd jumped ship over all of that, and began working behind the scenes to get Nico canned and an EXPERT in his place, can you blame him?

"He specifically put Coop at the point because he was not happy with the DLo acquisition." -- That's the precise reason, is it? Hmmmm. I find that purely speculative, and really making no sense, other than in some wild anti-Kidd conversation. Nico gave him a "wait until Kyrie returns" roster where the best alternate PG (Exum) was also injured, and BWill also injured. 

Do you think DAR as their one big addition in that context was a wise evaluation by Nico, and would have been a solution to running the offense if only Kidd had used him? Goodness, I don't. I didn't know that before I saw him in the mix, but I sure don't criticize Kidd for recognizing right up front what I did not know, and deciding DAR was not the right guy to be the PG.  

On top of that, Nico had too many "designated starters" who were not guards (Gaff/Lively, AD, PJW, and CF) along with Klay who he had promised a starting position to as well. 

If you think DAR would have made the offense work, if only Kidd had made him a starter, count me out. Given the hand Nico dealt him, I actually think Kidd's decision to force-feed ball-handling minutes to CF was a wise one, choosing to INVEST minutes rather than waste them.

[Winter]

I think this interview stuff is pretty straightforward.

The Mavs have quite a bit of talent, but largely misfit toys. Everyone who interviews for GM should be be selling their vision of how to course-correct the roster problems. Maybe the Mavs are certain of the direction now, but that doesn't mean they don't listen to their candidates (or pigeonhole their candidates based on what they think should be the answer to roster problem). You want to listen to the candidates.

[Chicagojk]

I think this interview stuff is pretty straightforward.

The Mavs have quite a bit of talent, but largely misfit toys. Everyone who interviews for GM should be be selling their vision of how to course-correct the roster problems. Maybe the Mavs are certain of the direction now, but that doesn't mean they don't listen to their candidates (or pigeonhole their candidates based on what they think should be the answer to roster problem). You want to listen to the candidates.

I agree.  While the team looks like a mess, they have a lot of good players.   Whether it is enough to contend in the west is the bigger question.

It was reported that the GM search has not officially started.  I do hope Dumont has been talking to people and listening as you mention.    Dumont has gone to two games, so he is not interested in getting in deep daily with the team.   He can't let Cuban fill in that gap.   While a young super smart person may be exciting, I think they need to find an experienced guy to be the GM.    Someone who can communicate direction to Dumont but basically run everything to their vision.   And it may need to be something where they can pivot quickly if the environment changes.