Mavericks Turn to Masai Ujiri for Leadership, Aiming for New Era of Success
The Dallas Mavericks have officially appointed Masai Ujiri as their new team president, marking a significant shift in the franchise's direction. The announcement came on Monday, following a six-month search to replace former general manager Nico Harrison, who was dismissed in November. Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont expressed enthusiasm for Ujiri's hiring, stating, "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. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience, and many accomplishments as a basketball executive." Ujiri's track record includes building the 2019 Toronto Raptors championship team, renowned for the pivotal trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. His experience is seen as vital as the Mavericks aim to revitalize their roster with Cooper Flagg emerging as the face of the franchise. In his own words, Ujiri stated, "I'm honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization. This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning." During his 12 seasons with the Raptors, Ujiri led the team to the playoffs in all but three years, showcasing his capability in the front office. His departure from Toronto in June 2025 coincided with his new venture as the primary owner of the WNBA's expansion Toronto Tempo, set to launch their inaugural season on May 8. The Mavericks now look forward to the upcoming draft lottery on May 10, hoping to secure another top prospect to complement Flagg, officially closing the chapter on the tumultuous Harrison era.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-04