After moving on from Nico Harrison, the Dallas Mavericks have started a new search for a general manager.
While the team’s search goes on, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will oversee basketball operations on an interim basis. Finley should be a familiar name for Mavericks fans, as he spent the majority of his professional playing career in Dallas.
A two-time All-Star with the Mavericks, Finley originally joined Dallas’ front office in 2017. Here are five things to know about Finley:
1. He’s a Mavericks legend
Mavericks
Before he became a Mavericks front-office member, Finley enjoyed a 15-year playing career in the NBA. He started his NBA playing stint with the Phoenix Suns, landing in Dallas during the 1996-97 season. Finley was part of the trade package Phoenix sent to Dallas to acquire Jason Kidd.
Finley played in Dallas for nine years, averaging 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals. He helped the franchise reach the playoffs five times from 2000-05 and was named an NBA All-Star twice during his Mavericks stint (1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons).
2. Won a championship as a player
Finley’s playing stint in Dallas ended ahead of the 2005-06 season, when he decided to sign with the rival San Antonio Spurs. He became a free agent in 2005 when the Mavericks used an amnesty clause to waive him and avoid paying luxury taxes on the $52 million he was owed in salary over the next three years.
In San Antonio, Finley joined a roster that was already considered one of the NBA’s best. Finley didn’t get to experience championship glory right away, as the Spurs were eliminated by the Mavericks in the 2005-06 Western Conference semifinals. San Antonio and Dallas battled to seven games in that playoff series, where Dirk Nowitzki lifted the Mavericks with a 37-point outing.
Finley won a championship the following season when the Spurs swept the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals.
3. Had a viral moment with Luka Doncic
Mavericks fans haven’t forgotten Finley’s viral moment with Luka Doncic during the team’s 2024 postseason run. After the Mavericks eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals, the team headed to the locker room at Target Center in Minneapolis to celebrate its latest playoff win. A video circulated on social media from the locker room celebration that showed Finley approaching Doncic and his father, Sasa, to shake hands.
As Finley approached the duo, he grabbed a beer can from Luka Doncic’s hand. Luka Doncic appeared confused following the interaction.
Mark Cuban later appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, where he explained why Finley took the beer can from Luka Doncic.
“It wasn’t because he didn’t want him to drink it. It was because there was cameras everywhere. And it’s just not cool when a player’s doing an interview with a beer,” Cuban said. “Michael wasn’t worried about, ‘Oh, you’re going to gain weight’ or any of that… if he didn’t do it, I would have done it. It was more about [the] camera’s going to be rolling, you’re going to need to be talking. Nobody needs to know that you’re drinking a beer. How many times have you seen a player do an interview with a beer in his hand?”
4. Here’s a look at the front-office roles he’s held in Dallas
With Harrison out as Mavericks GM, Finley will team up with Riccardi to oversee basketball operations on an interim basis. Finley originally joined Dallas’ front office in 2017 and has held several roles.
He has worked as the team’s assistant vice president of basketball operations, vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager.
5. He’s interviewed for an NBA GM role in the past
Could Finley be considered for the Mavericks’ general manager opening moving forward? He has interviewed for a similar position in the past.
Back in 2020, Finley interviewed for the Chicago Bulls’ vacant general manager gig. The Bulls ultimately hired Marc Eversley for the role.
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