The Mavericks have "agreed in principle" with Rockets Exec VP/Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas to become the franchise's GM, according to sources cited by Adrian Wojnarowski of YAHOO SPORTS. The hiring of Rosas is a "coup for an organization that has been committed to finding a way to strengthen its basketball operations." Rosas will be given "significant latitude to shape the direction of the franchise's pro and college personnel departments, free agency and scouting." He is "considered one of the NBA's best young executives" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/22). Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said, "I went to [President of Basketball Operations & GM Donnie Nelson] and said, 'We need to get smarter as an organization and we need to really expand what we're doing.' We try to take pride in being one of the most technologically advanced teams in all of sports." ESPN DALLAS' Tim MacMahon noted Nelson had been the Mavericks' "de facto general manager, a position the Mavs have not officially had since his father, Don, left the franchise" in '05. Cuban cited the "need for strong management skills as the reason for adding Rosas" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 7/22). Cuban said that the Mavericks were in "discussions with Rosas for the last month, and that he will report to Nelson." In Dallas, Corbett Smith noted as a native of Bogota, Colombia, Rosas is the NBA’s "highest-ranked Hispanic front office executive of basketball operations" (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/23).
OVERHAUL IN HOUSTON: In Houston, Jonathan Feigen noted Rosas’ departure will be the "third major change in the Rockets’ front office since last season." Former Exec VP/Basketball Operations Sam Hinkie left to become 76ers GM, while player personnel exec Arturas Karnisovas was named Nuggets Assistant GM. Rosas also had been the GM of the Rockets' NBA D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers (CHRON.com, 7/22). CBSPORTS.com's Ken Berger noted the Mavericks "become the ninth NBA team with a new GM or president this offseason" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/22).
