Jan 23, 2026
Mavericks Delay GM Hire After Luka Doncic Trade
Merlin sees the Mavericks still hunting for Nico Harrison’s replacement. Dallas has started vetting candidates but does not expect to hire a new lead executive until spring at the earliest, wanting to "choose from the widest possible pool of candidates." The team says it has "no interest" in another outsider and will "[over-index] on the safety aspect of it." After a tenure marked by the controversial Luka Dončić trade, the Mavs have slipped to 19-26 and 12th in the West while Dončić excels in Los Angeles. Merlin senses Dallas will act cautiously, likely avoiding major roster firesales until a permanent GM is in place or the offseason forces a clearer direction.
🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction
Odds the Mavericks hire a permanent GM before the end of the 2025-26 season: 30%.
