Former Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has returned to the NBA, taking on the role of president and alternate governor for the Dallas Mavericks. The announcement came on Monday morning, nearly one year after Ujiri was let go from similar positions with the Raptors.
Ujiri's New Role with the Mavericks
The Mavericks stated that Ujiri will oversee all aspects of the team's basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel, and scouting. He will work closely with team leadership to shape the organization's basketball philosophy and long-term direction.
This move represents a great opportunity for Ujiri, who was the main architect behind Toronto's 2019 championship team and other strong squads after taking over in 2013. The Mavericks boast promising young talent, including Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who does not turn 20 until December and is considered one of the best prospects in the sport.
Dallas also features young big man Dereck Lively II, a high-lottery pick coming next month, and solid veterans like Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford. Additionally, the team has an extra first-round pick from the Anthony Davis trade.
Reactions from Mavericks Leadership
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont expressed enthusiasm about the hiring, stating, "The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation, and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals. We are honored to have him join the Mavs family."
Ujiri's Career Background
Ujiri previously worked under Bryan Colangelo in Toronto before leaving to head operations in Denver, where he was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2012-13. Raptors ownership stepped up to pay Ujiri what Denver wouldn't, and the rest is history. Now, he returns after a year off.
In a statement, Ujiri said, "I'm honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization. This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas."
Ujiri's Ties to Toronto
Ujiri retains ties to Toronto through a co-ownership role of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo with close friend Larry Tanenbaum. His Raptors teams had struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs four times in five years before his firing. His long-time right-hand man Bobby Webster eventually was promoted to head of basketball operations and led the Raptors back to the playoffs, though they fell in Cleveland in Game 7 on Sunday.
