On November 11, the Dallas Mavericks fired Nico Harrison after an abysmal 3-8 start to the season. In an open letter to the Mavs fans, owner Patrick Dumont stressed that the decision was “critical” for the Mavs franchise to move forward in a positive direction.
This decision followed alluding to the severe backlash faced by Harrison after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers earlier in February.
Now, the Mavericks are in a hunt for a new GM. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are currently in interim roles as general managers, but the search for a solid candidate continues. Amidst all of this, TMZ Sports asked former NBA player Ron Artest (aka Metta World Peace) who he thinks should be the next GM of the Mavs. In a surprising manner, Metta World Peace declared himself to be the best fit!
“I think I’m suited to be the GM of the Dallas Mavericks,” Metta World Peace said. “I said it, I didn’t write it…I really mean it. The reason I say that is because I got so much experience.”
He didn’t just say that for the sake of it. Artest had enough experience to bring in, which could qualify him as a suitable GM candidate for the Dallas Mavericks. Explaining why he would be a good fit in this role, he added,
“[I’m] 46 years old. I’ve been in Cal State LA Division-II Women’s Basketball for seven years. Also, Entrepreneurship, running a business which is really hard. Running the basketball business will be fairly easy. Running sports business is fairly easy at the highest level where there is president or general manager running all the operations. So, I think they should look at me.”
Besides Artest, some of the most likely candidates for this role also include current head coach Jason Kidd and Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki was hired as a special adviser to the Mavs in June 2021 and is one of the most beloved stars in the franchise.
A 14-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, the German Wunderkind helped Dallas lift their first Larry O’Brien trophy in 2011 against LeBron James’ Miami Heat. Though it would be an unconventional hire, his deep understanding of the Mavericks organization could perhaps even help him land the role.
Dirk Nowitzki Didn’t Mince Words Reacting to GM Nico Harrison’s Firing
Dirk Nowitzki has been one of the most eternal entities associated with the Dallas Mavericks franchise over the past two decades. Having helped the Mavs lift their first NBA championship in 2011, his words have extreme value, especially when it comes to the betterment of the organization. When asked about his thoughts on Nico Harrison’s firing, Nowitzki did not mince his words. He said,
“This move should have probably happened this summer honestly. I didn’t want this negative energy over the Cooper Flagg era… This [Luka] trade… it made no sense to [the fans] and really there was no explanation for it either.”
Nowitzki is among favorites to succeed Harrison in the role of Dallas Mavericks’ GM. However, it is to be seen how the organization decides to move forward while revamping its front office. As of now, the Dallas Mavericks are looking towards a complete overhaul in their new Cooper Flagg era and to build around the young rookie.
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