In a seismic shift for the NBA’s front-office landscape, the Dallas Mavericks officially announced the hiring of Masai Ujiri as their new Team President and Alternate Governor on Monday, May 4, 2026.
The appointment marks the end of a high-stakes search to replace Nico Harrison, who was dismissed in November 2025 following the controversial and widely criticized trade of franchise superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Architect Returns
Ujiri, the mastermind behind the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 Championship, returns to a primary NBA role after taking a year-long hiatus following his departure from Toronto in 2025.
- The Mandate: Ujiri will oversee all aspects of basketball operations, including roster construction, scouting, and player personnel.
- The Foundation: He inherits a Mavericks team currently rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, the highly touted rookie who was the silver lining of the team’s post-Dončić struggles.
- The Vision: In his first official statement, Ujiri emphasized culture: “This is a franchise with a proud history and passionate fans. I look forward to building something that reflects that standard… We will win in Dallas.”
Ownership & Backstory
The hiring was driven by Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont, who took majority control from Mark Cuban in late 2023.
- A “Long Game”: Reports indicate that Dumont and Ujiri first discussed the role during a lengthy lunch in Las Vegas in December 2025.
- Bypassing Cuban: While Mark Cuban reportedly favored Detroit’s Dennis Lindsey for the role, the decision to hire Ujiri was a clear signal of Dumont’s independent leadership and desire for a “world-class” executive.
- The CEO Connection: Ujiri will work alongside CEO Rick Welts, another heavyweight executive hired by Dumont in 2024 to stabilize the business side of the organization.
Global Impact
Beyond the court, Ujiri’s arrival brings his significant global footprint to Dallas:
- Giants of Africa: He continues to lead his non-profit foundation, which empowers youth across the continent through basketball.
- WNBA Interests: Ujiri recently joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, one of the WNBA’s expansion franchises launching this month.
