DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks announced Monday they have brought aboard Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive, to serve as team president and alternate governor.
The 55-year-old Ujiri previously oversaw the Raptors organization during their championship run in 2018-19, when Toronto captured the NBA title with Kawhi Leonard after acquiring the star from San Antonio.
Ujiri steps into the role previously held by Nico Harrison, who was dismissed from his general manager position last November. Harrison’s tenure ended roughly nine months after orchestrating the controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that proved detrimental to Dallas.
The new president spent 13 years with Toronto’s organization before being let go as president and vice chairman this past June. He initially joined the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager.
According to the team’s announcement, Ujiri will oversee all basketball-related operations while collaborating with franchise leadership on strategic planning for the Mavericks’ future.
Michael Finley, a former Dallas player, and Matt Riccardi had been sharing general manager duties since Harrison’s departure. The duo orchestrated the February trade sending Anthony Davis to Washington. The injury-prone big man had been the primary asset Dallas received in the problematic Doncic transaction.
Ujiri takes charge of a franchise now built around Cooper Flagg, who earned Rookie of the Year honors after being selected first overall in last summer’s draft. Dallas secured Flagg despite having only a 1.8% probability of winning the top lottery selection. The team holds a 6.7% chance in the upcoming draft lottery.
Despite missing playoff action for two consecutive seasons, the Mavericks could return to postseason contention. The franchise reached the 2024 NBA Finals with Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way before falling to Boston in five games.
Should Ujiri retain Irving, Dallas would feature two former Duke standouts in Irving and Flagg. The rookie sensation guided the Blue Devils to the Final Four while becoming only the fourth first-year player to claim Associated Press men’s player of the year recognition.
Irving and Flagg have yet to share the court together, as Irving missed the entire campaign after suffering an ACL injury in March 2025.
The roster also includes another Duke product in center Dereck Lively II, though he has battled various injuries throughout his three-year career.
Additional core players include four-time champion Klay Thompson, who rebounded from early struggles to post strong three-point numbers and finish fourth in NBA history for made three-pointers. Forward P.J. Washington played a crucial role during the Finals run, while Naji Marshall emerged as a reliable scorer on an injury-riddled squad.
