MAVS hire Masai Ujiri as new team President

[BigDirk41]

I'm thrilled with this hire. We have proven legitimate GM now that's not scared to go for it. Winning a title in Toronto is super impressive imo. Sure there are a few guys that could have been better, but they aren't available. This isn't a traditional Mavs hire to me. This was getting the best available.

[cow]

The Presit dream is dead.



I hope Ujiri cleans house.

[KillerLeft]

Ujiri might not have been everyone's first choice, but he fits the bill of someone with experience doing the job and with considerable success mixed into his track record. He was certainly higher on my list than Connelly, so I feel pretty good about this.

I wonder if Riccardi and/or Finley will be retained, or just what the next steps will look like?

[Chicagojk]

Ujiri might not have been everyone's first choice, but he fits the bill of someone with experience doing the job and with considerable success mixed into his track record. He was certainly higher on my list than Connelly, so I feel pretty good about this.

I wonder if Riccardi and/or Finley will be retained, or just what the next steps will look like?

His title is team president and alternative Gov (no idea what that means...owner stake?), but it still leaves open for a GM role.   I think this role was too big for Ricardi at the moment but having someone do the normal GM stuff is probably still needed.

[F Gump]

Ujiri wasn't my preference, of course.

But the fact they got a guy with experience, and some skins on the wall, that part is great. I didn't think Kidd, Riccardi, or Finley made sense, but as much as they were mentioned, it's a big relief to me that none of those were given the job. Way too unproven.

One of the negatives with Ujiri was that it seemed like he wasn't really superior with trades. (I want a guy who understands negotiation dynamics, and wins at the margins, because the small gains add up.) And it seemed like he kinda plateaued out, after the one big win with Kawhi. But he's gotta be better than Cuban and Nico, so there's that.

Color me 'Cautiously Optimistic." And glad to turn the page.

[cow]

Ujiri might not have been everyone's first choice, but he fits the bill of someone with experience doing the job and with considerable success mixed into his track record. He was certainly higher on my list than Connelly, so I feel pretty good about this.

I wonder if Riccardi and/or Finley will be retained, or just what the next steps will look like?

Step 1:  Snatch Finley's job like Finley snatched a beer from Luka's hand after our WCF win.

It's a low bar to clear, but this will probably be the best Mavs GM in the last....ever? Especially when you factor in not dealing with meddling owner.

[Chicagojk]

Just reading Raptors fans most all seem to really like him.  They also say that the last few years in the job were not great.  For the most part they think Masai will do really well in Dallas.

One said, in Toronto he started with Bargnani...In Dallas he starts with Flagg.

[numnuts23]

So now what at GM...is it just a "title" and Ujiri will operate in that role as well - or is there going to be another hire to come shortly?

[KillerLeft]

His title is team president and alternative Gov (no idea what that means...owner stake?), but it still leaves open for a GM role.   I think this role was too big for Ricardi at the moment but having someone do the normal GM stuff is probably still needed.

Yeah, that was my first thought, too...but then that weird note that Ricardi/Flinely were told the Mavs "would be hiring someone else" over the weekend. But yes, the title leaves some room for speculation on the day-to-day basketball structure (thought makes it super clear who's in charge, lol). 

The first thing I thought of when I saw the title of "alternate governor" was that it was aimed at Cuban. Like, even in the event Dumont is incapacitated with some emergency, the organization wants to make sure everyone on planet Earth knows that Mark Cuban is not in charge of the team.

[dirkfansince1998]

More or less the biggest name that wasn't under contract. Connelly news suggested that the Mavs never got permission to interview active GMs. I like it. His track record speaks for itself. Probably one of the best in the business when it comes to talent evaluation (draft or free agency). More of a calculated risks guy. Unlikely to make all in gambles.
Only concern in the new CBA environment is that he tends to overpay his own free agents. Ibaka, Quickley, Poeltl, Schroder just to name the worst examples. Also missed a couple of opportunities to trade players at their peak value.

[Chicagojk]

Yeah, that was my first thought, too...but then that weird note that Ricardi/Flinely were told the Mavs "would be hiring someone else" over the weekend. But yes, the title leaves some room for speculation on the day-to-day basketball structure (thought makes it super clear who's in charge, lol). 

The first thing I thought of when I saw the title of "alternate governor" was that it was aimed at Cuban. Like, even in the event Dumont is incapacitated with some emergency, the organization wants to make sure everyone on planet Earth knows that Mark Cuban is not in charge of the team.

Ricardi was at the press conference for Flag ROY.  He was sitting with Weltz and Kidd.   I didn't see Finley.   It was also announced Ricardi and Blackmon will be representing Dallas at the lottery this year.   I wonder if he knew Masai was going to be hired at that time?

[Scott41theMavs]

Not great, but satisfying enough. At least there's some direction and the guidance of a real basketball man. If he pans out, this could be like Nellie, who was at kind of a low point in his career (the Chris Webber fiasco in Golden State) when the Mavs hired him.

[ThisIStheYear]

He’s a credible hire and the beginning of a clean break from the Cuban era.

[KillerLeft]

More or less the biggest name that wasn't under contract. Connelly news suggested that the Mavs never got permission to interview active GMs. I like it. His track record speaks for itself. Probably one of the best in the business when it comes to talent evaluation (draft or free agency). More of a calculated risks guy. Unlikely to make all in gambles.
Only concern in the new CBA environment is that he tends to overpay his own free agents. Ibaka, Quickley, Poeltl, Schroder just to name the worst examples. Also missed a couple of opportunities to trade players at their peak value.

Agree, overall. I'm hoping that the overpaying his own issue was about trying to build a team in Canada. As we know, a lot of guys don't want to live there, so I suspect it was a little like building a team in a small market, despite Toronto not being a small market. 

Things should be easier in a big market, warm weather city.

[Scott41theMavs]

Ujiri wasn't my preference, of course.

But the fact they got a guy with experience, and some skins on the wall, that part is great. I didn't think Kidd, Riccardi, or Finley made sense, but as much as they were mentioned, it's a big relief to me that none of those were given the job. Way too unproven.

One of the negatives with Ujiri was that it seemed like he wasn't really superior with trades. (I want a guy who understands negotiation dynamics, and wins at the margins, because the small gains add up.) And it seemed like he kinda plateaued out, after the one big win with Kawhi. But he's gotta be better than Cuban and Nico, so there's that.

Color me 'Cautiously Optimistic." And glad to turn the page.

I'm just glad you're still with us. I was concerned for you when I saw this news.

[Chicagojk]

Check dlls reaction live. 58 minutes in if it doesn’t automatically go there.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Di_IxqAtBzU?si=6nc7U5WAQWfSDnKb&t=3517

[mvossman]

Better option than Connelly in my opinion. Probably better than Lindsey. Some mistakes in his final years. Held onto players too long and that Poeltl contract is a disaster. Don't know how much that had to do with small market Canada. My guess is that we get Ricardi as GM. Kind of the best of both worlds. A guy with a ton of experience and an up and comer, both known for talent evaluation.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Raptors have always been a small market afraid to spend money and at a disadvantage to signing FAs because they are in Canada.

They may operate as a small market team, but Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America. Bigger than Chicago and Houston.

[Winter]

Masai started out as unpaid scout for the Orlando Magic

During his time in Toronto...

Norman Powell was a second-round pick
Fred Van Fleet was undrafted
Scotty Barnes was ROY

[F Gump]

I'm just glad you're still with us. I was concerned for you when I saw this news.

LOL --- at least I don't have to keep asking for Presti anymore! 

Re Ujiri, one area in which he showed skill (to some degree) was in finding draft talent that wasn't using high picks. He hit on Pick 22 Faried, 20 Fournier, 20 Delon Wright, 46 Norm Powell, 27 Siakam, UDFA VanVleet, 23 Anunoby. Lots of misses too, however, especially since the title (all of those hits were before). After this season, the Mavs have picks ahead, but later ones. It would be helpful if he could uncover some gems.