The Dallas Mavericks have officially hired Masai Ujiri as the team’s new president and alternate governor. Ujiri will now oversee all basketball operations for the franchise, including player signings, roster decisions, scouting, and long-term team planning. The Mavericks hope his experience can help bring stability and rebuild the team into a championship contender again.
The hiring comes after a difficult season for Dallas. Former general manager Nico Harrison was fired in November 2025 after making the controversial trade that sent superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package centered around Anthony Davis. The move did not work out for the Mavericks. Davis struggled with injuries during the season and was later traded to Washington. Dallas finished the year with a disappointing 26-56 record. Since Harrison’s departure, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi had been serving as interim leaders in the front office.
Ujiri arrives in Dallas with a strong reputation across the NBA. He spent 13 years leading the Toronto Raptors and is best known for trading for Kawhi Leonard in 2018, a move that helped the Raptors win their first NBA Championship in 2019. Although the Raptors parted ways with Ujiri in 2025, he is still widely respected as one of basketball’s top executives and talent evaluators.
Despite the recent struggles, Dallas still has several promising young players. Ujiri now inherits a team led by 2025 No. 1 draft pick and Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, along with Kyrie Irving and rising center Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks also have a chance to secure another high draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery, giving Ujiri more flexibility to improve the roster.
For Mavericks fans hoping to see the team compete for championships again, Ujiri’s arrival signals a fresh start and a more stable direction for the future.
Speaking after the announcement, Ujiri said he is excited about the opportunity and confident about building a winning team in Dallas. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning,” Ujiri said. “We will win in Dallas.”
