Since reaching the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks have been heading in the wrong direction. The organization made the shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, triggering an avalanche that sent them to the bottom of the Western Conference and cost general manager Nico Harrison his job.
Now, as Dallas tries to right the ship, the team has announced the hiring of elite executive Masai Ujiri. Mavs minority owner Mark Cuban shared his thoughts on the hire.
Mark Cuban Excited About Mavericks Hiring Masai Ujiri
Cuban shared his thoughts on Ujiri joining the Mavericks organization and believes brighter days are ahead.
“I like it. He has experience. He has won,” Cuban said. “Most importantly, the owner he had in Toronto is very similar to Patrick Dumont. I think it will make it easier on Patrick and the organization to have someone with his credentials in charge.”
Ujiri has been one of the NBA’s top executives over the last 18 years. Ujiri helped transform the Denver Nuggets’ culture and was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2013. Soon after, he helped turn the Toronto Raptors into an elite team. Ujiri was willing to take the risk and rent All-NBA wing Kawhi Leonard for the stretch run of the 2018-19 season, culminating in an NBA championship. It’s easy to see why Cuban is optimistic.
Please join us in welcoming Masai Ujiri as our Team President!@Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/Z5RN5GYCUX
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 4, 2026
Ujiri is entering a potential rebuilding situation as the Mavericks’ team president, though the team also has the potential to jump up the standings next season depending on the moves he makes around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
The Mavs finished the season 26-56, but Flagg has the potential to be an elite player as early as next season. At a minimum, hiring Ujiri should improve morale among the Mavs’ fan base.
The Dončić-for-Anthony Davis trade was an outright disaster, especially with Davis no longer in the organization. Mavs fans were also frustrated with the poor performances of veterans like Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell this season.
Nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving will be back in the lineup next season and could be the perfect complement to Flagg. Potential franchise center Dereck Lively II will also return after essentially missing the entire season (he played just seven games).
Ujiri doesn’t have a bare cupboard to work with, so he could potentially construct a playoff team next season with a couple of moves. Cuban is one of many people around the Mavs organization who are suddenly excited about the future.
