Mavericks Make Major Play, Bringing NBA Visionary Masai Ujiri Aboard

The Dallas Mavericks have hired Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor, bringing a proven championship executive to lead the franchise. Ujiri, known for building the Raptors' 2019 title team, joins after a six-month search, signaling a new era focused on long-term winning and a critical draft for the team.

Precious Eseaye • Sports • 1 month ago • 2 minute read •

Key Points

• The Dallas Mavericks have hired Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor.

• Ujiri brings a championship pedigree, having led the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship and winning Executive of the Year with the Denver Nuggets.

• His hiring marks a critical step in the Mavericks' long-term rebuild strategy following a disappointing season and the trade of Luka Doncic.

Mavericks Make Major Play, Bringing NBA Visionary Masai Ujiri Aboard

On Monday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Maverickswould be hiring former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri to be the new leader of their front office.

Ujiri worked with the Raptors up until 2025, and will now join a Mavericks team whose front office has been in limbo ever since they fired Nico Harrison midway through last season.

While it may not be popular with fans, Ujiri can immediately establish a clear vision for the Mavericks’ future and further embrace a rebuild around Cooper Flagg by making one big move as this offseason continues: trading point guard Kyrie Irving.

Irving missed the 2025-26 season as he rehabbed his torn Achilles from March of 2025, meaning he will likely be fresh and ready to go heading into next season.

When he was on the court in 2024-25, Irving remained an elite scorer and overall offensive weapon.

And this showed that he is still capable of being the second-best player on a title contender during the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals two years ago.

However, at the age of 34, Irving no longer fits the Mavericks’ timeline, particularly as they look to build around Flagg and whomever they end up selecting in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Dallas already partially embraced a full rebuild by dealing Anthony Davis this past season, and it’s likely that they could get a better return package for Irving than what the Washington Wizards gave them for Davis.

Numerous teams around the NBA figure to be on the lookout for a perimeter scoring punch this offseason after scoring numbers have cascaded in these playoffs, including the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors, among others.

Irving is still more than capable of providing that, and is still on a relatively team-friendly contract, considering some of the deals that are likely to be signed this offseason.

While there is some injury risk and the age factor, Ujiri would do well to at the very least explore what the trade market has to offer for the Mavericks’ point guard.