Mavericks hire Masai Ujiri as new team president, per report: Former Raptors exec built 2019 championship club
TL;DR
The Dallas Mavericks have hired Masai Ujiri as their new team president, replacing former GM Nico Harrison. Ujiri, known for building the 2019 Raptors championship team, will lead the Mavericks into a new era.
Key points
- Dallas Mavericks hire Masai Ujiri as team president
- Ujiri previously built the 2019 Raptors championship team
- He replaces former GM Nico Harrison after a six-month search
- Ujiri brings extensive playoff experience to the Mavericks
- Cooper Flagg is expected to be the face of the team moving forward
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The Dallas Mavericks have finally replaced former general manager Nico Harrison. The Mavericks are reportedly hiring former Toronto Raptors general manager and vice president Masai Ujiri, per ESPN.
After a six-month process to find a replacement after firing Harrison in November, the Mavericks have selected the guy who will lead them into a new era of the franchise with Cooper Flagg as the face of the team. Ujiri comes with championship experience, having built the 2019 Raptors championship team that notably included the savvy trade of DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, which ultimately catapulted the Raptors to their championship.
Ujiri was with the Raptors for 12 seasons, during which Toronto made the playoffs in all but three seasons with him in charge of the front office. He'll bring a level of experience that Harrison severely lacked in Dallas.
This should officially close the book on the Harrison era in Dallas, who famously masterminded the trade that sent franchise centerpiece Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a deal centered around Anthony Davis. It's been a disaster for the Mavericks since, aside from lottery luck that landed them Flagg. Harrison was fired in November and Davis was traded back in February.
With Ujiri installed, the Mavericks can now look ahead to the draft lottery on May 10, where they hope for some more lottery luck to pair Flagg with another top prospect.
Q&A
Who is Masai Ujiri and what is his background?
Masai Ujiri is a former general manager of the Toronto Raptors, known for building the 2019 championship team.
What impact will Masai Ujiri have on the Dallas Mavericks?
Ujiri's championship experience and leadership are expected to guide the Mavericks into a new era, especially with young talent like Cooper Flagg.
Why did the Mavericks replace Nico Harrison as GM?
The Mavericks replaced Nico Harrison after a six-month search for a new leader, seeking more experience in the front office.
