2. Michael Finley, Dallas Mavericks vice president of basketball operations
A name that was also linked to the Bulls general manager job in a lot of fan, media, and executive speculation is the former Dallas Mavericks two-time All-Star small forward/shooting guard and 2006-07 NBA Champion Michael Finley. Even Mavericks owner Mark Cuban advocated for what Finley could bring to the table in the Bulls general manager search.
Currently, Finley is the vice president of basketball operations for the Mavericks. He was hired on board in 2017 as the assistant vice president of basketball operations, and he was quickly promoted into his current role two years ago.
According to a report on Twitter from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Finley is one of the names linked to the Bulls general manager search at the moment.
OKC's Troy Weaver, Dallas' Michael Finley, Denver's Calvin Booth, OKC's Nazi Mohammed, and Orlando's Matt Lloyd are all in play for Bulls GM job, said a source. Booth might be the most ready - but hardest to get, while the source said Mohammed may end up being a gem.
— Joe Cowley (@JCowleyHoops) April 10, 2020
With how fast Finley moved up the front office ranks of an organization as successful of late as the Mavericks, the Bulls have to show some buy in. Finley knows the game of basketball well, as he was one of the better wings in the NBA in the late 1990’s and 2000’s. And he’s part of a building contender in the Western Conference, with the likes of forward Kristaps Porzingis and point guard Luka Doncic leading the way into the future.
A younger candidate that would bring an exciting presence to the table could be brought on board with Finley. His short track record in an NBA front office is already looking promising, and this potential hire would do a lot to help the image for the Bulls organization. The Bulls definitely need that image change to make the franchise more popular with prospective free agent and trade targets.