The Dallas Mavericks finished the season with a 26-56 record. In November, the franchise made a not-so-surprising front-office change, firing general manager Nico Harrison.
With the 2026 NBA Draft on the horizon, the team has announced Harrison’s replacement: Masai Ujiri has been hired as Dallas’ team president and alternate governor. News of the splashy hire prompted strong reactions across social media.
NBA World Buzzes as the Dallas Mavericks Hire Masai Ujiri
With most of the NBA’s attention focused on the playoffs, the Mavericks grabbed headlines. The social-media response to Ujiri’s hiring was swift and mostly positive.
“After a six-month search following the firing of Nico Harrison, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont makes a major splash with his hire of a global basketball giant in Ujiri,” wrote ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After a six-month search following the firing of Nico Harrison, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont makes a major splash with his hire of a global basketball giant in Ujiri. https://t.co/F3SUjHcnwt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 4, 2026
After his playing days in Europe ended, Ujiri became a youth coach in Nigeria. He eventually became a scout for the Orlando Magic, climbed the ladder, and took over basketball operations for the Denver Nuggets in 2010.
Ujiri won NBA Executive of the Year in 2013 for Denver, before leaving for the Toronto Raptors in May of that year. Ujiri won over the Toronto fanbase by leading the team to its first championship in 2019. Ujiri is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s top executives after Harrison developed a reputation as arguably the worst.
“You could not have landed a bigger name than this, wow,” one influencer wrote on X.
You could not have landed a bigger name than this, wow https://t.co/OSfsDXMn6S
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) May 4, 2026
“Thrilled for masai to be back in the NBA. will always be rooting for him as the person. very rare individual,” wrote Raptors podcaster William Lou.
Ujiri earned kudos and praise for his bold management style and passion. However, not everyone appears thrilled with the Mavericks hiring him. Despite his impressive track record, detractors still exist.
“Idk man his late 2010s drafting and shipping of [DeMar] DeRozan was all-time but he was abysmal outside of the [Scottie] Barnes pick this decade,” one influencer argued.
Idk man his late 2010s drafting and shipping of DeRozan was all-time but he was abysmal outside of the Barnes pick this decade. https://t.co/jbGKvn8NAD
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) May 4, 2026
After the 2018 season, Ujiri fired Dwane Casey, who won Coach of the Year in the same season. More importantly, he traded DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, who became the centerpiece of the offense as they defeated the Golden State Warriors to win the championship the following season.
Ujiri has a global presence; he founded the non-profit Giants of Africa and, last year, he was named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. He’s known for identifying and landing international talent. With this in mind, one podcaster argued that Ujiri will try to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Mavericks.
Giannis to the Dallas Mavericks https://t.co/b2XA5383YO
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 4, 2026
It remains to be seen if Ujiri will try to make a splashy move this offseason or if he’ll take things slow while building around phenom Cooper Flagg.
“Congrats to Masai. He has said often that if he had a top-10 talent on his roster, building out a championship team would follow in short order. In Cooper Flagg he’ll be working with the highest drafted prospect he’s ever had in one of the NBA’s better markets,” said Raptors beat writer Michael Grange. “Great chance.”
Congrats to Masai. He has said often that if he had a top-10 talent on his roster, building out a championship team would follow in short order. In Cooper Flagg he’ll be working with the highest drafted prospect he’s ever had in one of the NBA’s better markets. Great chance. https://t.co/e85qtE7JLB
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) May 4, 2026
In addition to the job with the Mavericks, Ujiri will keep his other commitments, including his gig with the United Nations, his ownership in the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA, and his Giants of Africa non-profit.
While his official title is Sustainable Development Goal Advocate with the United Nations, Ujiri acts as a sports envoy, preaching the unifying properties of sports.
“United Nations role, Toronto Tempo principal owner, Dallas Mavericks TP/AG,” wrote a Raptors analyst. “In addition to continuing to run Giants of Africa. Masai is a busy man. Congrats to him.”
United Nations role
Toronto Tempo principal owner
Dallas Mavericks TP/AGIn addition to continuing to run Giants of Africa.
Masai is a busy man.
Congrats to him. https://t.co/YrNNuUSFdA
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) May 4, 2026
Mark Cuban, who owned the Mavericks from 2000-2023 and remains a minority owner, endorsed the move and sees a bright future ahead for Dallas.
“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.”
“They got their splashy hire and a guy who will win the press conference. Let’s go,” added Mavericks podcaster Nick Angstadt.
Harrison will always be known as the person directly responsible for trading perennial All-Star Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, the Mavericks have their respected executive to build around Flagg and Co. going forward.
