The Dallas Mavericks have been searching for someone else to make basketball decisions since firing Nico Harrison. After Harrison made the horrible decision to trade away Luka Doncic, he was let go early this season. Then, Dallas traded away Anthony Davis to Washington.
Since then, Patrick Dumont and his team have been canvassing the NBA in order to find someone to take over Harrison’s duties. They are building around Cooper Flagg as they rebuild just a few seasons after making the NBA Finals with Doncic.
Now, the Mavericks have made a bombshell hiring to take over as the new team president.
GettyToronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri speaks with the media. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks Hire Masai Ujiri to Take Over for Nico Harrison
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks have decided to hire Masai Ujiri. Ujiri will be the team’s new team president, as well as the alternate governor. Ujiri is the former GM of the Toronto Raptors and parted ways with them before the season.
Ujiri is widely respected in the NBA. He helped build the only championship team in the history of the Raptors in 2019 when he made the bold decision to trade for Kawhi Leonard. Leonard only spent one season in Toronto, guiding them to a championship.
Dumont needed to make a splashy hire. After the failure of Harrison, Dallas has a long road ahead to be considered a contender again. They could end up with another high lottery pick this season, as they have the eighth-best odds to receive the number one pick.
Not only is Ujiri respected around the league, but he gives Dumont some much-needed experience leading a team to the highest level. It’s clear that Dumont doesn’t know much about basketball and how to build a winning team, so this is a solid hire.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dribbles the ball. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dallas Needs a Massive Roster Overhaul
Depending on where their draft pick falls, the Mavericks need a big roster overhaul. They failed to reach the playoffs in Flagg’s first year. A lot of that was because of injuries at the guard spot. Kyrie Irving missed the entire season after tearing his ACL a year ago.
Dallas still needs to fill both guard spots with reliable ball-handlers. The lack of ball-handlers forced Jason Kidd to play Flagg at point guard at the start of his rookie season. It did not work. and it may have stunted part of his growth early in his rookie year.
Ujiri has an eye for talent. He did a great job with the Raptors at identifying players in the G-League who can help an NBA team. He also does a good job in the draft, something that Dallas has struggled with when they don’t land the top pick.
Dallas has its way forward with a new voice. Ujiri still has a lot of work ahead in order to get fans to enjoy watching this team play again.
Mavericks Make Bombshell Hire to Replace Nico Harrison