DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks announced Friday they have selected Mike Schmitz as their new general manager, bringing the Portland Trail Blazers’ assistant GM into the role just three days following the appointment of Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor.
Schmitz now assumes the position previously occupied by Nico Harrison, who was dismissed in November. Harrison’s firing came nine months after he orchestrated the trade sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a decision that proved disastrous for the franchise.
According to the team’s announcement, Schmitz will be responsible for supervising daily operations and ensuring strategic coordination within the basketball operations department.
The hiring leaves questions unanswered regarding the future of Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, who were appointed as co-interim general managers following Harrison’s departure. The duo successfully completed the trade sending Anthony Davis, who was the primary asset obtained in the Doncic transaction, to Washington.
Both Schmitz and Ujiri, who was born in Nigeria, share connections to African basketball development. Schmitz has contributed to youth basketball programs in Ujiri’s native country and has worked as an assistant coach for Uganda’s national team.
Before joining Portland in 2022, Schmitz worked for five years analyzing draft prospects at ESPN.
“I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of the franchise,” Schmitz said. “I’m excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization.”
