Mavericks Name Masai Ujiri President and Alternate Governor in Bid to Rebuild After Doncic Trade

Key facts

• Masai Ujiri, 54, was named Dallas Mavericks president and alternate governor, overseeing roster construction, player personnel, and scouting.
• Ujiri was fired by the Toronto Raptors in June 2025 after 13 seasons, during which he built the 2019 championship team.
• The Mavericks finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record, the joint seventh-worst in the NBA, after reaching the 2024 NBA Finals.
• The team traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 for Anthony Davis, a deal orchestrated by former GM Nico Harrison.
• Harrison was fired in November 2025; the Mavericks then traded Anthony Davis in February 2026.
• Dallas controls none of its first-round picks from 2027 to 2030 but projects to have cap space in the 2027 offseason.
• Ujiri is the only non-American winner of the NBA Executive of the Year Award, which he won in 2013 with the Denver Nuggets.
• He is the founder of Giants of Africa, a nonprofit empowering youth through basketball, and was named a UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate in 2025.

A New Era in Dallas After a Disastrous Season

The Dallas Mavericks have hired Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor, ending a six-month search for a lead basketball executive following the dismissal of former general manager Nico Harrison. The announcement, confirmed by multiple league sources, comes just days before the May 10 draft lottery and signals a decisive shift in the franchise’s direction after a calamitous season. Ujiri, 54, will oversee all aspects of basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel, and scouting, while working with team leadership to shape the organization’s long-term philosophy. The Mavericks finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record, the joint seventh-worst in the NBA, a precipitous fall from their 2024 NBA Finals appearance.

The Aftermath of the Doncic Trade and Harrison’s Exit

The team’s decline was accelerated by the February 2025 trade of franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, a deal negotiated in secret by then-GM Nico Harrison and Lakers president Rob Pelinka. The trade drew months of backlash, and Harrison was fired in November 2025. The Mavericks then traded Anthony Davis in February 2026, clearing the way for a full rebuild. In the interim, assistant general manager Matt Riccardi and vice president of player personnel Michael Finley served as co-interim GMs. Both are expected to return to their original roles, though Ujiri is expected to meet with them to determine their future with the organization. The new president is also expected to hire a general manager in the coming days.

Ujiri’s Championship Pedigree and Global Reach

Ujiri built the Raptors squad that became LeBron James’ primary rival during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 to 2018. After James left Cleveland, Ujiri made a bold move, acquiring Kawhi Leonard as a one-season rental that culminated in Toronto’s 2019 NBA Championship. He was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2013 for his work with the Denver Nuggets, making him the only non-American to win the award. Beyond basketball, Ujiri founded Giants of Africa in 2003, a nonprofit focused on empowering youth through basketball, education, and leadership development. In 2025, he was named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. He also joined the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo ownership group in 2026, reflecting his commitment to the women’s game.

A Search Driven by Governor Patrick Dumont

The hiring process was essentially conducted by Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, CEO Rick Welts, and president of business operations Ethan Casson. Dumont had expressed a desire to find a big-name executive with a proven track record who was also willing to engage with the media, a contrast to the reticent Harrison. According to league sources, Dumont spoke with former Warriors executive Bob Myers multiple times, but Myers chose to remain with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Timberwolves president Tim Connelly was also a target, but the Mavericks were not granted permission to interview him. Ujiri, who had been awaiting another opportunity since his dismissal from Toronto in June 2025, emerged as the ideal candidate. Dumont also wanted an executive who would retain head coach Jason Kidd, who still has four years left on his contract after signing extensions in 2024 and 2025. Ujiri is expected to address Kidd’s status at Tuesday’s introductory press conference.

The Cooper Flagg Era and Asset Constraints

Ujiri inherits a team that lacks future draft assets, with no control over its first-round picks from 2027 to 2030. The Mavericks are expected to enter the Cooper Flagg era after likely securing a top pick in the upcoming draft. Ujiri will need to find hidden gems with limited assets to maximize team-building around the projected No. 1 pick. Dallas projects to have cap space in the 2027 offseason, providing some financial flexibility. Having a respected veteran executive like Ujiri at the helm is expected to reassure fans after the Doncic trade debacle, which was widely criticized as a result of Harrison’s lack of front-office experience. Ujiri’s track record of building competitive rosters while maintaining discipline offers hope for a sustained turnaround.

Outlook: A Test of Ujiri’s Rebuilding Acumen

Ujiri’s return to an NBA front office marks a new chapter for both the executive and the franchise. His ability to construct a championship roster in Toronto, despite operating in a market that often struggles to attract free agents, will be tested in Dallas, where the team must rebuild from the ground up. The Mavericks’ quick fall from the 2024 NBA Finals to the bottom of the league underscores the magnitude of the challenge. With a limited pool of draft picks and a young core likely centered on Cooper Flagg, Ujiri will rely on his scouting acumen and global network to identify undervalued talent. His experience in developing players and fostering organizational culture will be critical as the Mavericks seek to return to contention. Tuesday’s press conference will offer the first glimpse into his vision for the franchise’s future.

The bottom line

• Masai Ujiri, architect of Toronto’s 2019 championship, takes over a Mavericks team in full rebuild after trading Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis.
• Dallas finished 26-56 in 2025-26, a steep decline from the 2024 NBA Finals, and controls no first-round picks from 2027 to 2030.
• Governor Patrick Dumont led a six-month search that prioritized a big-name executive with media savvy, settling on Ujiri after failing to land Bob Myers or Tim Connelly.
• Ujiri is expected to hire a general manager and will meet with interim co-GMs Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley to assess their roles.
• Head coach Jason Kidd, who has four years left on his contract, is expected to remain under Ujiri, per Dumont’s preference.
• Ujiri’s global impact extends beyond basketball through Giants of Africa and his role as a UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate.