Masai Ujiri joins Dallas’ front office roughly a year after he was let go in Toronto.
The Dallas Mavericks are turning to one of the NBA’s most accomplished architects to lead their next chapter, naming Masai Ujiri president and alternate governor.
Ujiri will oversee all aspects of the Mavericks’ basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel, and scouting, while working with team leadership to shape the organization’s basketball philosophy and long-term direction.
Please join us in welcoming Masai Ujiri as our Team President!@Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/Z5RN5GYCUX
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 4, 2026
“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,” said Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
Ujiri joined the Raptors in 2013 as executive vice president and general manager. He was promoted to president in 2016 and surrendered his responsibilities as GM in 2017, when Bobby Webster took over.
The 54-year-old Ujiri, who was heading into the final year of his contract, led the Raptors to their only NBA title in 2019. He was fired in June of 2025 after 13 seasons with Toronto.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” said Ujiri. “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.”
Widely regarded for his ability to build competitive rosters and develop talent, Ujiri has consistently positioned his teams for long-term success while maintaining flexibility and discipline.
Beyond basketball operations, Ujiri is the founder of “Giants of Africa,” a nonprofit organization he launched in 2003 focused on empowering youth across the continent through basketball, education, and leadership development. In 2025, he was named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, further reflecting his global impact.
Ujiri began his career as an international scout with the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets before rising to lead basketball operations in Denver, where he was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2012-13.
In 2026, he joined the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo ownership group, supporting the continued growth of the women’s game. He has long been recognized as a forward-thinking leader with deep relationships across the league and a strong commitment to player development and organizational culture.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
