New Mavericks basketball boss Masai Ujiri says it's time to focus on Cooper Flagg

Kidd's future

Ujiri was noncommittal when asked about the return of coach Jason Kidd, who signed an extension during the deep playoff run two years ago. When asked if Ujiri was saying Kidd's status was up in the air, the 55-year-old reminded reporters that George Karl remained coach in Denver for three seasons after Ujiri took charge of basketball operations there and that Dwane Casey kept the job for Ujuri's first five seasons with the Raptors. “There’s no way to read this,” Ujiri said. “I’m going to hear coach Jason Kidd out, his thoughts on everything and follow a lot on what he’s saying. Because some of this stuff here, I don’t know. If you go back to the history, it’s the same thing. I have to follow a process here, and I’m excited to meet with them.”

Blockbusters of the past

Ujiri has been a part of blockbusters for superstars coming and going, first with Denver when he sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks and went on to win Executive of the Year two years later. With the Raptors, he traded for disgruntled San Antonio star Kawhi Leonard, who led Toronto to the 2018-19 NBA title in his only season with Toronto. Ujiri was let go last June after the Raptors went five consecutive seasons without a first-round playoff victory. Led by Doncic and fellow star guard Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks made the finals two years ago for the first time since winning their only title in 2011. But now they've missed the playoffs two years in a row. The last time Dallas missed a third consecutive postseason was Doncic's rookie year in 2018-19. “What I’ve found out is if you win one, you want to win again,” Ujiri said. “And I know you guys have tasted that. Everybody here, the passion of what happens here and how we feel in healing, it’s because you want to win again. I want to win again.”

A dream pairing for Dallas?

The Mavericks ended up sitting Irving the entire season after he tore an ACL in March 2025. Now that Davis is gone, the lone remaining question is what it looks like with Irving and Flagg — both one-and-done Duke standouts who became No. 1 picks — are on the court together. “I dream like you dream, man. All of us dream. I want to see that,” Ujiri said. “I think it’s going to be pretty cool, and I know it’s going to help Cooper because Kyrie likes to play off the ball, too. This is going to interesting for us.” Starting with next week's draft lottery. The Mavericks have a 6.7% shot at the top pick. \\\_ AP NBA: