Donnie Nelson, the general manager and president of basketball operations of the Dallas Mavericks for the past 24 years, has stepped down (per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon)..
Nelson’s departure comes during a period of heightened scrutiny of the Mavericks’ front office, centered on the growing influence of director of quantitative research and development, Haralabos Voulgaris. Voulgaris—a former professional sports gambler—was hired by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in 2018.
Source confirms that longtime president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson is parting ways with the Mavs, as reported by The Athletic.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 16, 2021
Nelson had lost power since the hiring of Bob Voulgaris, creating internal tension.
Since his arrival, Voulgaris has effectively assumed the role of a second general manager, and has reported directly to Cuban.
According to MacMahon, Nelson objected to this structure.
Voulgaris has also developed a strenuous relationship with Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. While Doncic has suggested in an interview that he plans on signing a supermax contract with the Dallas, reports have surfaced that Doncic has serious gripes with the Mavs’ management structure.
Doncic’s thoughts on the recent firing have yet to be determined.
Nelson joined the Mavericks in 1998 as an assistant general manager under his father, Don Nelson.
He was influential in the trade for franchise star and all-time great Dirk Nowitzki and then building a team over the course of the next decade to help Dirk finally win a championship in 2011. He was also one of the main voices in the Mavericks brass pushing for the eventual drafting of Doncic.
Nelson’s immediate replacement is still unknown. Although, as of now, most signs point towards Voulgaris. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that the future of the Mavericks franchise—and their hopes of retaining Doncic for the foreseeable future—may depend on finding the right replacement for Nelson
