Dumont Aiming High Pursuing Presti Connelly Stevens for Mavericks

Merlin sees Dallas governor Patrick Dumont aiming high to replace Nico Harrison, targeting big names such as Sam Presti, Tim Connelly, Brad Stevens, Koby Altman and even Jason Kidd. The search follows Harrison’s November firing after a 3-8 start and the Dončić trade that left the Mavs 24-51. Leadership is the immediate need for a roster built around rookie Cooper Flagg and a promising 2026 draft pick. Merlin notes the list reads like a wish list. As the article says, "Most of these names are fanciful, of course (Stevens isn't going to Dallas, folks)." Connelly is "Super happy here" and Presti and Altman seem settled, yet Dallas’ young core and draft capital make the job a tempting project for an ambitious executive willing to bet on a rebuild.