DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Mavericks Hire Masai Ujiri
- The Six-Month Search Ends: Masai Ujiri‘s hiring concludes a search that began in November 2025 following the dismissal of Nico Harrison. Ujiri‘s arrival brings immediate stability to a franchise that finished a disappointing 26-56 in the 2025-26 season.
- Cleaning the Slate: Ujiri inherits a “post-Luka” landscape. After the polarizing February 2025 trade of Luka Dončić to the Lakers and the subsequent February 2026 trade of Anthony Davis, Ujiri has the financial flexibility—and the Lottery picks—to rebuild the culture from scratch.
- The Cooper Flagg Foundation: The centerpiece of Ujiri‘s new project is 2026 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. Flagg‘s historic rookie season, which included multiple 50-point outings, provides the franchise with a two-way cornerstone reminiscent of the defensive versatility Ujiri prioritized during the Toronto Raptors‘ title run.
- Draft Urgency: With the NBA Draft Combine set for May 10, Ujiri must immediately evaluate the Mavs‘ two 2026 first-round picks (their own lottery selection and the No. 30 pick from the Washington Wizards).
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks named Masai Ujiri President and Alternate Governor on Sunday, hiring the executive who built the Toronto Raptors‘ 2019 NBA championship team to lead their basketball operations.
Ujiri will oversee roster construction, player personnel, and scouting, and work with team leadership on the franchise’s basketball direction, the team said. The move ends a search that began in November, when Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont fired general manager Nico Harrison following the fallout from the Luka Dončić trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” Ujiri said. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas.”
Dumont called Ujiri “one of the great basketball leaders of this generation” and said the hire was “a critical step” in the team’s pursuit of a championship.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation, and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” Dumont said. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination, along with his leadership, experience, and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
A Champion’s Résumé
Ujiri, 55, ran the Raptors from 2013 to 2025, most recently as Vice Chairman and President. His defining move came in the summer of 2018, when he traded DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Toronto won the title the following June, the only championship in league history for a non-American franchise. Ujiri also promoted Nick Nurse to head coach that offseason.
He was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2013 while running the Denver Nuggets, the only non-American to win the award. His Toronto teams reached the playoffs in eight of nine seasons from 2014 to 2022.
Born in England and raised in Nigeria, Ujiri founded the youth nonprofit Giants of Africa in 2003. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2023 and a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate in 2025.
Inheriting a Roster in Transition
Ujiri takes over a roster that has been overseen by co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi since November. That group traded Anthony Davis earlier this season to clear long-term salary.
The Mavericks are anchored by 2026 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, who is expected to return to full health next season.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is next on the calendar, followed by the opening of free agency.
Terms of Ujiri’s contract were not disclosed.
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘It Means Everything’: Dallas Mavericks Star Cooper Flagg Reflects On NBA Rookie Of The Year Award
- Cooper Flagg Wins NBA Rookie Of The Year, Joins Jason Kidd And Luka Dončić In Dallas Mavericks History
- ‘That’s What Paul Silas Did For Me’: LeBron James Draws Parallel Between His Rookie Role And Cooper Flagg’s
- ‘He Will Be Unstoppable’: Cooper Flagg’s Three-Point Statement Gives Blueprint For NBA Dominance
- ‘They’re Very Similar’: Jason Kidd Breaks Down The LeBron James Parallels For Cooper Flagg
