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What is the dynamic between Riccardi and Finley, who’ve become peers over the last four seasons, especially now that they’re sharing a job typically held by one person? “Our jobs haven’t changed,” Finley told The News. “We’re still doing what we were doing under our old boss. The vision hasn’t changed. We’re still trying to keep Dallas as one of the best franchises in the NBA. We’re just putting our own personality on it, so to speak.”
From your perspective, when you look at Riccardi, Finley, Kidd, is there a preference there with how Dumont would value their opinions? Grant Afseth: I don't know if Jason Kidd's opinions value like clear cut more than everybody else. But I do know from a basketball standpoint, his opinions are valued quite a bit by the ownership group. And I know, Mark Cuban is providing input as well. I don't want to make that sound like Mark Cuban's the GM by any means, or Jason Kidd the GM or whatever. But I just know that while they're getting through this, it's really, really important that the head coach has alignment on what they're doing on the basketball court. So by default, you're going to have to rely on like not only is he respected, but you are by necessity going to have to get through, the season with his input value very heavily. So I think that's, probably, like, I don't want to say like he's clear cut, like more important voice wise than the interim GM, but his basketball input is very heavily valued.
Also: The famed footage of Finley taking a celebratory beer away from Dončić after the Mavericks clinched a spot in the 2024 NBA Finals, meanwhile, never included a key element of the story: The drink was returned to Dončić and the celebrations continued as soon as he was out of public view in the hallway of the visitors' locker room in Minnesota.
Yet it's likewise true, sources say, that there is already optimism within the Mavericks' ranks that they can swiftly reintegrate Nowitzki in some capacity — formally or informally — to ensure that his voice is once again heard. Finley and Kidd are two of Nowitzki's closest former teammates and extremely likely to seek his counsel.
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Zach Lowe: I've definitely heard that there were people once they found out who tried to if not stop it then say, "Hey, let's let's pause, reconsider." I don't know where (Michael Finley and Matt Ricardi) stood. Um but if you if you can't if these guys can't come out and truthfully say in a way that no one else in those rooms can rebut privately, according to sources, that they stood up against this trade, I don't think they're going to last as as the co-GMs of the team.
Christian Clark: Nico Harrison's firing is official. "A comprehensive search will begin for a permanent replacement," team says. As previously reported, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley will be co-interim GMs.
Nico Harrison's firing is official. "A comprehensive search will begin for a permanent replacement," team says. As previously reported, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley will be co-interim GMs. pic.twitter.com/pcljBfBUTS
— Christian Clark (@christianpclark) November 11, 2025
Shams Charania: The Mavericks and Patrick Dumont have 10:30 am central time meetings to appoint executives Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi to lead basketball operations in interim, sources tell me and Tim MacMahon.
Flagg is joining a team of future Hall of Famers, but one day he’s going to take the reins of the franchise. What advice do you have for him in that role, since you experienced it with the Mavericks? Nowitzki: It was hard for me. My personality wasn’t, ‘Hey, look at me. I’m the big speech guy. Follow me now.’ I had to grow into it. Learn through some mistakes. I’m not quite sure I can help him with advice. The only thing is keep your eyes and ears open. Keep learning from your veterans. He’s got some incredible players on the team now with Kyrie [Irving], obviously Klay [Thompson]. AD’s [Anthony Davis] been around forever. There’s so much knowledge there that he can tap into and learn from. Ask questions. How are their pregame routines? What do they eat? How do they prepare for events? What do they do with appearances? How do they interact with the media? That was key for me at the beginning, watching Michael Finley, who was a true pro. Steve Nash, learning from them.
Jorge Sierra: Jalen Brunson passed Luka Doncic and Dave Cowens in playoff scoring last night for No. 98 in NBA history. Pascal Siakam moved up to No. 122 ahead of... Shawn Kemp Dick Barnett Rik Smits Dave DeBusschere Michael Finley Shawn Marion
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Jorge Sierra: Jalen Brunson passed all these players in playoff scoring tonight: Adrian Dantley Jerome Kersey Jrue Holiday Charles Oakley Dick Barnett Rik Smits Dave DeBusschere Michael Finley Shawn Kemp Shawn Marion He's No. 117 all-time now.
Jorge Sierra: Brook Lopez passed Michael Finley in scoring last night and is now No. 97 in NBA history. Also: Jimmy Butler moved ahead of Antoine Walker and Sam Cassell for No. 137.
Antoine Walker: "I’m not going to lie, man. I’ll keep it real—I cried like a baby. I couldn’t believe I got traded, bro. It was because I felt like we were just starting to become one of the best teams. We lost the Eastern Conference Finals, yeah, but we ended up losing to New Jersey when they went to the Finals back-to-back. I felt like we were right there, like we were ready to turn the corner. It hurt. Personally, by myself, I cried, like, ‘Damn, I don’t want to go anywhere else.’ We had built so much there. We were starting to get to that next level, and then, to get traded—it was tough." "But the best thing about my trade, which a lot of people don’t understand, is that I got a chance to go play with three great players, man. I got to play with Michael Finley, Steve Nash, and Dirk. Yes, sir! And then Antawn Jamison was our Sixth Man. Damn, I had a whip down there! You know what I’m saying? I went to a situation where I knew I was going to win, and I didn’t have to do it all."
LeBron James appeared on Wednesday’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce and finally opened up about the famously mysterious pick-up game he played in with Michael Jordan as a high schooler. James said the game happened in 2001, and he and Jordan played with NBA vets Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway, Ron Artest and Michael Finley. Grainy photos from the game showing James and Jordan sharing the court have surfaced on social media over the years, but video footage of the contest has never emerged.