Mavs hire Ujiri as president, alternate governor

The Dallas Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor, the team announced Monday.

The former Toronto Raptors executive replaces Nico Harrison, who was fired six months ago.

A news conference with Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont and Ujiri is scheduled for Tuesday.

"I'm honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization," Ujiri said in a statement. "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."

The Mavericks had preliminary interest in Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly but moved on partly because they doubted they'd receive permission to speak with him, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon.

Ujiri, 55, inherits a Mavs core led by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving.

Dallas went 26-56 last season and owns the eighth-best odds to win the NBA draft lottery. Following this year's draft, the Mavs don't control their own first-round selection until 2031.

Toronto enjoyed its most successful period with Ujiri at the helm, making seven consecutive trips to the postseason and capturing the franchise's lone NBA title in 2019.

The Raptors parted ways with Ujiri in June 2025, ending his 12-year tenure with the organization.

Ujiri also spent a three-year stint with the Denver Nuggets and famously executed the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks. He was named the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year.