MAVS hire Masai Ujiri as new team President

[mvossman]

One of the later games in the season, Naji and Flagg were on a heater in a close game and instead of looking for them in one of the final possessions, Christie took it upon himself to play hero ball which stopped the team from any hope at a W.  As is popular to say in Frisco because of the Christian Parker hiring, we need players who's "brain works".  It's not like he's John Poulakidas who is scratching and clawing at the one of the few shots he'll have in the NBA, you have a contract and made selfish play which is a microcosm of what he is on the court.  I'll stick with my extreme take, thank you very much.

Crazy take.  He is 15th on the roster in FG attempted.  The only guys below him are a few randos, centers and Caleb Martin.  Given that he is the best shooter on the team under the age of 35 I would argue I would rather him take more shots.

[Chicagojk]

Crazy take.  He is 15th on the roster in FG attempted.  The only guys below him are a few randos, centers and Caleb Martin.  Given that he is the best shooter on the team under the age of 35 I would argue I would rather him take more shots.

Seems like  it was a directive from Kidd this year to shoot too.  Wanted to see if he could maintain a good percentage on 7-8 threes per game.  While he struggled late, he did finish the year above 40% on high attempts per game.  How did this look when he is your 4th/5th option and not needing to force looks playing with better teammates?

[cow]

Crazy take.  He is 15th on the roster in FG attempted.  The only guys below him are a few randos, centers and Caleb Martin.  Given that he is the best shooter on the team under the age of 35 I would argue I would rather him take more shots.

Not all shots are created equal and the instance I'm referring to wasn't a spot up three, but rather a contested drive without looking for his teammates.  Naji kept them in the game the first half, Flagg go it close in the second.  If I'm a role player and the game is on the line, I'm looking for hot hand (Flagg), not putting my head down and playing hero ball.  Know your role.  "Brain works" problem.

[mvossman]

Not all shots are created equal and the instance I'm referring to wasn't a spot up three, but rather a contested drive without looking for his teammates.  Naji kept them in the game the first half, Flagg go it close in the second.  If I'm a role player and the game is on the line, I'm looking for hot hand (Flagg), not putting my head down and playing hero ball.  Know your role.  "Brain works" problem.

Seems like you are overfocusing on one game in the middle of a tanking season.  He is not known to be a chucker or a low IQ player.

[Chicagojk]

Hearing Masai talk was a breath of fresh air.   One of the things that has bothered me over the Cuban and then Nico reign is players tend to pissed when they leave here.   I get it is a tough business and sometimes egos are bruised.    I look at Presti and players seem to really like the organization.   They pretty much dumped Giddy after a difficult playoff run, but he too still had nice things to say about the organization and even said he would be rooting for them.

way too often players leave Dallas and nothing nice or real is said about them.   It is very cold.   It almost feels like they are being treated as a piece of meat.   Again, I get it.  It is a tough business and sometimes tough decisions are needed to be made.  I just want to get back to the organization that players are happy to play for and give their all for.   It doesn't take much, but this organization just seems to don't care or even try.

[cow]

Seems like you are overfocusing on one game in the middle of a tanking season.  He is not known to be a chucker or a low IQ player.

It's just the latest example of many and it wasn't in the middle of a season.  Further, players don't tank.  You are welcome to your thoughts on the player, but my thoughts on Christie were well established prior to that game (I've posted about throughout the season) and aren't likely to change.  So, no, I'm not overfocusing on one game.

[mvossman]

It's just the latest example of many and it wasn't in the middle of a season.  Further, players don't tank.  You are welcome to your thoughts on the player, but my thoughts on Christie were well established prior to that game (I've posted about throughout the season) and aren't likely to change.  So, no, I'm not overfocusing on one game.

Then let's say your argument was overfocusing on one game.  Its an interesting take, one that I have not noticed or heard from anyone else.

[cow]

Then let's say your argument was overfocusing on one game.  Its an interesting take, one that I have not noticed or heard from anyone else.

I kind of think the one overfocusing is you on a throw away comment on a huge post about the Ujiri presser.  I have weird takes all the time, not sure why this one sticks out so much.   haha

[mvossman]

I kind of think the one overfocusing is you on a throw away comment on a huge post about the Ujiri presser.  I have weird takes all the time, not sure why this one sticks out so much.   haha

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you have made several little comments like this regarding him.  I was just curious what your issue was.

[Chicagojk]

So refreshing

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20521478...deo/1?s=46

[KillerLeft]

So refreshing

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20521478...deo/1?s=46

I don't know how good of a job he'll do (great, hopefully), but THIS is the type of thing the franchise has been needed to repair the bridge to their fan community, finally. It's a little silly to say, but true. His "aura" (in the parlance of our times) is going to help reach a lot of people and give them permission to have fun following the team again. And, he's simultaneously able to exude "in charge" and (in his own words) "calm."

[windjc]

I don't know how good of a job he'll do (great, hopefully), but THIS is the type of thing the franchise has been needed to repair the bridge to their fan community, finally. It's a little silly to say, but true. His "aura" (in the parlance of our times) is going to help reach a lot of people and give them permission to have fun following the team again. And, he's simultaneously able to exude "in charge" and (in his own words) "calm."

He is the anti-Cuban. This is the first serious exec Dallas has ever had.  Nellie was a gimmick. Finally Dallas is a normal franchise and not some oddity in the NBA landscape. 

Our Nepo owner might just turn out to be a good one. The way things have been handled this year has been professional. The owner made a huge mistake and has done everything in his power to rectify it. That’s all we as fans can ask. And the one thing Nico was probably right about was that Luka would never win a championship. 

We have a chance to rebuild and flourish now.

[SwisherPrice]

I think Kidd is done. Him and Masai will clash...they are two alphas and I don't see them working together successfully long-term. I don't know if Kidd lasts another month or another year but this is probably the beginning of the end. We know Kidd is close with Rick Carlisle...he might already be planning his golden parachute like RC did going to Indiana. The Orlando job is appealing and Portland could open too. Or maybe even going home to Golden State if Kerr retires  

[KillerLeft]

Not my favorite podcast, even for local stuff, but this is a pretty good, comprehensive and reliably sourced look at Kidd's suddenly changed status here in the Mavs organization. 

I wouldn't say I'm expecting him to get fired, but my hopes are up just a little and I think the idea that we've gone in a short time from him being the loudest voice in the organization with a fresh multi-year extension to the current state of things (likely having to prove his worth or possibly even currently wondering if he even wants to be here) is nothing but positive, regardless of what happens next. 

https://youtu.be/J38U2-E0Q4w?si=CUIf1NqDz4khFhk4

[Winter]

I'm not sure about Kidd. Flagg's relationship to Kidd may matter at least during the first year of Ujiri being here. One podcast I heard talked about how happy Flagg's mother has been with his development and his relationship to Kidd. Kidd also has a pretty good track record with the playoffs. It seems a little knee-jerk to fire him this season,

I'm not saying it won't happen, but it just seems an unlikely possibility for Ujiri to upset the apple cart too soon for not much more than personal preference.

[meistermatze]

I am thrilled!

The press conference was amazing. Yes, charisma and eloquence aren’t everything, but he has a proven track record and is clearly an expert. I love how he emphasized winning over and over again, and how he understands that the hardest part is already done: finding a generational player.

I very much doubt that Presti or Stevens were ever going to come here - why would they leave such great situations? So Ujiri was the best option on the market.

What’s not to like?

[Smitty]

I think Masai will do what's best for Flagg. If Flagg really wants Kidd to be the coach, and Kidd wants to stay on, it'll all make sense. If neither of those are the case, we'll see a coaching change. There is a world where Kidd doesn't want to be here. Maybe he has what he thinks is a better opportunity. A chance to eventually move into the front office somewhere, and we see a change. I think if that happens, there's a higher chance of a Kyrie trade this summer, or at the trade deadline.

Keeping Kidd or hiring a new coach, to have a full reset, both make sense on some level. Same for the Kyrie options. We'll know soon enough which direction Masai wants to go.

As for potential replacements, without doing a deep dive on Masai's professional relationships there... Sweeney and Mosely come to mind. I think Masai called out a few currently on the staff in his presser as well... At least I remember him mentioning Triano specifically.

Back to Kidd, I don't think he's some snake for wanting the president of basketball ops job. Going from player, to coach, to the front office seems like a natural progression, and a normal career goal for Kidd. His odds of ever doing that with the Mavs organization just went down considerably.

[Chicagojk]

I think Masai will do what's best for Flagg. If Flagg really wants Kidd to be the coach, and Kidd wants to stay on, it'll all make sense. If neither of those are the case, we'll see a coaching change. There is a world where Kidd doesn't want to be here. Maybe he has what he thinks is a better opportunity. A chance to eventually move into the front office somewhere, and we see a change. I think if that happens, there's a higher chance of a Kyrie trade this summer, or at the trade deadline.

Keeping Kidd or hiring a new coach, to have a full reset, both make sense on some level. Same for the Kyrie options. We'll know soon enough which direction Masai wants to go.

As for potential replacements, without doing a deep dive on Masai's professional relationships there... Sweeney and Mosely come to mind. I think Masai called out a few currently on the staff in his presser as well... At least I remember him mentioning Triano specifically.

Back to Kidd, I don't think he's some snake for wanting the president of basketball ops job. Going from player, to coach, to the front office seems like a natural progression, and a normal career goal for Kidd. His odds of ever doing that with the Mavs organization just went down considerably.

I think it is fair.   Good point...nothing wrong with trying to go after a bigger job.   It will be interesting.    I think Kidd will be back, but I do wonder if he has some doubts.   Since Nico was fired, Kidd may have had the loudest voice in the room.    That is going to change.    Also, does he want to be a coach longterm?  Most importantly, with the AD trade Dallas has gone down a path for a longer rebuild and not a bandaid approach.  Does Kidd want to go maybe three years without a playoff series win?  Or would he want to go to a team ready to win now?

I feel confident Masai will have an honest conversation with Kidd and the communication will be clear.    I expect him to be back.   Not sure there is going to be a lot of hot coaching jobs this offseason.  Orlando is one, but I think Kidd would not be one of the lead candidates.  I could see the Knicks if that job opened up, but they are playing well at the right time currently.  Who else?

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think Masai will do what's best for Flagg. If Flagg really wants Kidd to be the coach, and Kidd wants to stay on, it'll all make sense. If neither of those are the case, we'll see a coaching change. There is a world where Kidd doesn't want to be here. Maybe he has what he thinks is a better opportunity. A chance to eventually move into the front office somewhere, and we see a change. I think if that happens, there's a higher chance of a Kyrie trade this summer, or at the trade deadline.

Keeping Kidd or hiring a new coach, to have a full reset, both make sense on some level. Same for the Kyrie options. We'll know soon enough which direction Masai wants to go.

Clearly Masai didn't guarantee a return by Kidd.  He doesn't control one side of that equation.  He did go out of his way to point out his history is to keep inherited coaches.  I don't think firing Kidd now is on the table at all.  I think the harder question is whether Masai would grant permission for Kidd to talk with other teams.  If Kidd goes, it is because he found something else.  I think the most likely outcome is that he stays.

I thought one of the more telling moments of the news conference was when Masai talked about the Mav's young players -Flagg, Lively, Max (are we really talking about dumping Max?) AND Nembhard.  He seemed really emphatic when he talked about building around them.  Something that I've not seen mentioned anywhere...If Masai has has some inkling for months that this might happen, he has a plan.  Yeah, he talks about a transition period and needing to meet everyone.  But, someone that driven has been working his spreadsheets and watching tape.  He knows what he wants to do.

That especially applies to Kyrie.  Was he sincere in his desire to see Flagg and Irving on the floor together?  Or, was he setting a high bar for anyone wanting to talk about a deal.  I really don't see him being traded this summer as I think value will be higher at the TDL.  Anthony and Gay were both traded mid season by Masai and teams aren't going to pay top dollar until they see Kyrie on the court.  Trading him as some point seems to me to be the best way to add to our core longer term.

[F Gump]

I think Kidd is done. Him and Masai will clash...they are two alphas and I don't see them working together successfully long-term. 

I see that very differently. I think that Masai will demand an alpha as a HC, driven to success by his own internal flame rather than playing second fiddle to someone else. 

My guess is that there will only be two questions for Masai to work through -- does Masai think Kidd can win, and if yes, does Kidd want to be here (with no potential to ever become GM somehow)?

I think this might be a great coaching job for Kidd (or someone else) with Masai's ability to find and feed talent into the mix, and a budding superstar already in the building.