24 and 13 years is a long time. But in sports, it's an eternity.

With Rick Carlisle and Donnie Nelson both out of Dallas, the Mavericks organization lost any semblance of stability as it plummets towards the most important offseason in recent memory.

The tensions between Carlisle and star player Luka Doncic were all well reported. And the frustrations between Nelson and Haralabos Voulgaris were well documented. However, when Sam Amick and Tim Cato first reported about Dallas' dysfunction, Mark Cuban mortgaged the house while it burned.

He called the report false. In fact, in his words, it was "total bullshit." But the events of recent weeks show everyone that the report was everything but.

With major events on the offseason calendar steadily approaching, the Mavs have to pick up the pieces of what was a tumultuous week in Dallas' front office. However, the question remains where do the Mavericks go from here?

The complexity in the GM search:

Step one is bringing in the right general manager. This has to be someone who possesses a shared vision with Doncic and the rest of the team. Things like the style of play, types of players, and overall end vision for this roster all need to be vetted.

A secondary element is, what role does Voulgaris play in the general manager search? He is without a contract after the conclusion of this season. And with him retained, the Mavs hopes of hiring a general manager with any stature in the league are limited. No one wants a role where they are the boss but take orders from someone under them.

Cuban may be loyal to his guys, but he isn't dense. The Athletic already reported that if Voulgaris be retained next season, it wouldn't be in an elevated role. Yet, this still poses a problem because, in his current role, Voulgaris caused tension, strife, and frustration throughout the front office. With him, Dallas is held captive. Without him, the organization suffers a blow to the analytics department but retains a mode of stability that is desperately needed.

The choice should be clear, but for Cuban, that has not always been the case.

GM Candidates:

Once Dallas sorts out its front office power struggle, the next step is to highlight key candidates for its top-dog role. Here are just a few.

Michael Finley joined the organization in 2012. He enjoyed a nine-year playing career in Dallas before his start in the front office. He understands the city and this team. He’s currently the vice president of basketball operations, and many around the NBA believe he was one of the emerging team executives who would eventually replace Nelson.

Masai Ujiri just wrapped up the final year of his contract in Toronto. During his tenure there, he pulled off one of the most improbable rebuilds by bringing Kawhi Leonard to town en route to the organization's first championship. It would be foolish not to target Ujiri in the search for a new captain of the ship.

Lastly, Mike Zarren, the longtime assistant general manager of the Boston Celtics. With Boston elevating Brad Stevens to the role Zarren believed he might take over, it's assumed that with the Dallas opening, Zarren will throw his hat in the ring. Cuban's love for analytics provides Zarren with an advantage. For years, he's been at the forefront of basketball analytics in Boston. Who's to say he can't do the same in Dallas?

The coaching search:

Once the general manager role is sorted out, next is finding the right coach to maximize Dallas' on-court vision. In just a week since Carlisle stepped down, a plethora of names flew amidst varying reports. However, the strong candidates for the position remain the same. Those include Jamahl Mosely, Becky Hammon, Terry Stotts, and Jason Kidd.

Each brings a different level of flair and basketball nuance to an organization starved for a new voice. Yet, the favorite for the position still remains Mosely. He is the coach Doncic is a fan of. And with increased uncertainty regarding Doncic's standings within the organization, it's clear that Dallas' front office will go to great lengths to appease its 22-year-old superstar.

What to expect from this offseason:

The tumultuous start to the offseason brings with it some concern, but that doesn't mean stability lies far away.

Nelson and Carlisle reached the end of their rope. Though sudden, it was probably the right time for both to move on. Their accomplishments are celebrated here in Dallas. And the stability they offered for a decade and more gave the Mavericks hope when there wasn't cause for any.

What's next is still a mystery, but there is a road map for Dallas' return to stability. It's time to really see what Cuban, as an owner, is made of.

Related Mavericks reading:

"Rick Carlisle resigns, now who's in?"

"Donnie Nelson out as Dallas Mavericks general manager."

Feature image via Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.