MAVS hire Masai Ujiri as new team President

[F Gump]

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?  

The idea that Masai has already been putting together a plan and kinda knows what he wants to do, that's a great point. I think it's spot on. 

I believe that both Dumont and Masai already decided several months ago that he would be hired. The long Dec 2025 meeting in LV being the formal interview, preceded by a few calls, and followed up and then an agreement in Jan or so. That fits Kidd being told he was out of the running, because Dumont had already decided elsewhere. They just had to wait until TOR season ended by losing in the playoffs, which is why Dumont had the vague mid May time frame that suddenly was bumped to early May.

[DanSchwartzgan]

The idea that Masai has already been putting together a plan and kinda knows what he wants to do, that's a great point I had not considered. But I think it's spot on. 

The more I think about it, the more i would also suspect that both Dumont and Masai already decided several months ago that he would be hired. They just had to wait until TOR season ended by losing in the playoffs, which is why Dumont had the vague mid May time frame that suddenly was bumped to early May.

My recollection is that Masai was fired four years into a five year contract.  So, that timing could make sense depending on the provisions of the contract.

[F Gump]

The idea that Masai has already been putting together a plan and kinda knows what he wants to do, that's a great point. I think it's spot on. 

I believe that both Dumont and Masai already decided several months ago that he would be hired. The long Dec 2025 meeting in LV being the formal interview, preceded by a few calls, and followed up and then an agreement in Jan or so. That fits Kidd being told he was out of the running, because Dumont had already decided elsewhere. They just had to wait until TOR season ended by losing in the playoffs, which is why Dumont had the vague mid May time frame that suddenly was bumped to early May.

PS - Thinking about that further, is it possible that Masai was a "shadow GM" who Dumont consulted since Jan or early Feb (before the TDL), to evaluate and sign off on the trade of AD? If I have the timeline right, that would make sense. That chronology makes it possible that Masai was already starting to plan the future team before the Feb TDL. 

And maybe it would explain why Dumont was willing to suddenly reverse course and okay moving on from AD, rather than keep him to put together a Flagg-Kyrie-AD team to build around and see if they could suddenly be really good again. It didn't look like they would trade AD, Dumont had no interest, and then suddenly they were salary-dumping him to WAS, out of the blue. What changed? Perhaps Masai says to Dumont he is in, and then says to Dumont that moving on from AD is a better route, and yes that is acceptable value.

[DanSchwartzgan]

PS - Thinking about that further, is it possible that Masai was a "shadow GM" who Dumont consulted since Jan or early Feb (before the TDL), to evaluate and sign off on the trade of AD? If I have the timeline right, that would make sense. That chronology makes it possible that Masai was already starting to plan the future team before the Feb TDL. 

And maybe it would explain why Dumont was willing to suddenly reverse course and okay moving on from AD, rather than keep him to put together a Flagg-Kyrie-AD team to build around and see if they could suddenly be really good again. It didn't look like they would trade AD, Dumont had no interest, and then suddenly they were salary-dumping him to WAS, out of the blue. What changed? Perhaps Masai says to Dumont he is in, and then says to Dumont that moving on from AD is a better route, and yes that is acceptable value.

There was a good bit of reference in the presser to "hard conversations" on both sides.  Maybe this was one of the topics.  I doubt we will ever know until Toronto's final check to Masai clears the bank.

[F Gump]

There was a good bit of reference in the presser to "hard conversations" on both sides.  Maybe this was one of the topics.  I doubt we will ever know until Toronto's final check to Masai clears the bank.

Why would we ever hear about it? Assuming only Dumont and Masai know that Masai was PD'S "unpaid private consultant" for the last few months, on matters that would impact what Masai will be able to do starting in May, do we think Dumont or Masai will have a sudden urge to get the Mavs hit with a tampering charge, and a loss of a pick or a big fine? I suspect they will be just fine letting sleeping dogs lie.

[dirkfansince1998]

How much would Dumont be willing to pay to get rid of Kidd? What are the options?

- Mavs continue to pay Kidd's salary. What we are seeing more often than not when a coach is fired.
- Some kind of settlement. Less likely. Kidd isn't going to give up guaranteed money.
- Buyout. Any team still interested in Kidd?

Do we have any details about the extension that go beyond the multi year /$~10m per year rumors. Is it fully guaranteed? Any clauses (missing playoffs, certain number of wins)?

[Smitty]

Kidd’s contract and money owed will not be a barrier or even a factor in the decision IMO. Dumont can’t say that Masai has full control and then come back with, wellll I don’t want to pay a new coach and one that’s not here at the same time. It comes down to a combination of three things: What Flagg thinks, if Kidd wants to be here, and if Masai wants to bring in his own guy or not. That’s it.

[cow]

- Buyout. Any team still interested in Kidd?

The Magic?

[dirkfansince1998]

Kidd’s contract and money owed will not be a barrier or even a factor in the decision IMO. Dumont can’t say that Masai has full control and then come back with, wellll I don’t want to pay a new coach and one that’s not here at the same time. It comes down to a combination of three things: What Flagg thinks, if Kidd wants to be here, and if Masai wants to bring in his own guy or not. That’s it.

Full control is never a thing. There are always financial limitations. For example repeater tax.
Makes a big difference if we are talking about $10m or $50m when it comes to Kidd's contract. That's why I asked about the contract details.

Would agree that the messaging from Ujiri suggests that he can make the call on Kidd's future but it's not a given.

[Mavs2021]

The idea that Masai has already been putting together a plan and kinda knows what he wants to do, that's a great point. I think it's spot on. 

I believe that both Dumont and Masai already decided several months ago that he would be hired. The long Dec 2025 meeting in LV being the formal interview, preceded by a few calls, and followed up and then an agreement in Jan or so. That fits Kidd being told he was out of the running, because Dumont had already decided elsewhere. They just had to wait until TOR season ended by losing in the playoffs, which is why Dumont had the vague mid May time frame that suddenly was bumped to early May.

I speculated as much in the 2026/2027 thread. Though that could put the franchise in a dicey spot, cause that means Cuban, Kidd, Riccardi and Finley have some sort of suspicion about the situation. Dumont didn´t know Shaq from Dirk six months ago and suddenly he comes up with trade ideas like salary dumping AD? 

Most likely Dumont let Riccardi and Finley come up with their own ideas and then run them by Ujiri. It could also explain why Ujiri seemed less than thrilled with Kidd. Maybe Ujiri told Dumont that he needs to stir Kidd in the direction of tanking and Kidd ignored the order thinking it was "just" Dumont. Now Kidd found out he ignored his new boss Ujiri and cost him two draft positions. 

You know Kidd and Cuban are too petty mofos.

Well you can never accuse the Mavs of being boring.

[F Gump]

The Magic?

Yeah, I have been thinking that if Kidd is available, the Magic should run to be first in line. Suggs and Black have PG raw talent, but badly need someone like Kidd to teach them the game.

I think Kidd would help them get somewhere in the playoffs. They have a lot of talent. 

But I don't think he's going anywhere, because the new draftee and Flagg (and Nemby too) need the same thing. I think Kidd is super valuable for that.

[cow]

Yeah, I have been thinking that if Kidd is available, the Magic should run to be first in line. Suggs and Black have PG raw talent, but badly need someone like Kidd to teach them the game.

I think Kidd would help them get somewhere in the playoffs. They have a lot of talent. 

But I don't think he's going anywhere, because the new draftee and Flagg (and Nemby too) need the same thing. I think Kidd is super valuable for that.

I don't really have a feel for what Majiri or Kidd want in the short term, though we do know Kidd has ambitions above coaching.  If he is "forced" to coach in the short term, you'd have to wonder if he would prefer to be with a team much closer to contention which might make the Magic more attractive for him.  That's a big might as I don't think we have anything tangible to go by.

[SkenfromLMF]

Why would we ever hear about it? Assuming only Dumont and Masai know that Masai was PD'S "unpaid private consultant" for the last few months, on matters that would impact what Masai will be able to do starting in May, do we think Dumont or Masai will have a sudden urge to get the Mavs hit with a tampering charge, and a loss of a pick or a big fine? I suspect they will be just fine letting sleeping dogs lie.

IF we EVER: We'll hear about it when Masai completes his tenure; the last payment from the Mavs is deposited into Masai's account; and he is doing interviews about his time in Dallas.

[F Gump]

It's been obvious for a long time that Kidd wants a GM job. But I am not seeing any owners wanting him for the job. And he tried to force it before, and ended up out of a job.

That creates a decision for Kidd. Does he decline to head coach, with a high likelihood he then ends up as an assistant coach (or unemployed) instead? Or does he embrace what he knows, and work to be the best at it?

I think he learned his lesson, and is less insistent these days. But we will see soon, because he's now in a coaching position that offers NO expectation there's a higher job possible later.

[KillerLeft]

Kidd’s contract and money owed will not be a barrier or even a factor in the decision IMO. Dumont can’t say that Masai has full control and then come back with, wellll I don’t want to pay a new coach and one that’s not here at the same time. It comes down to a combination of three things: What Flagg thinks, if Kidd wants to be here, and if Masai wants to bring in his own guy or not. That’s it.

Agreed about the timing of everything. I'd say the recent extension will be less of a barrier now, when the franchise is changing hands and Dumont is focused on giving Ujiri every resource needed, than it might be in a similar hypothetical situation even two years down the road. Still, it would probably be easier (should Kidd and/or the Mavs want to part ways) if another franchise had designs on hiring him and Kidd wanted to go there. In that sense, it's a shame all of this didn't happen last summer. 

I keep seeing folks suggest things along the lines of "if Flagg wants Kidd to be here, you keep him." I agree to a point, but I think that's short-sighted. A 19-yo is probably not the best judge of what's best for the franchise or even for himself, frankly, AND, I think that's the kind of thinking that got us to the place where Luka became an undisciplined problem in some key areas. I don't believe that Flagg would respond to change like a primadonna (not yet, at least) and I think the Mavs, during Luka's early seasons, might've trained him to become "difficult." Obviously, staying on the same page with your franchise player is important, but I think "give him whatever he wants" is and always will be a dead-end approach employed by mid-tier franchises, at least in a general sense. 

None of this to suggest one course of action over another, and I'm hopeful that managing a guy like Flagg while steering the franchise effectively is a specific area in which Ujiri is likely to excel...just saying.

[Smitty]

Agreed about the timing of everything. I'd say the recent extension will be less of a barrier now, when the franchise is changing hands and Dumont is focused on giving Ujiri every resource needed, than it might be in a similar hypothetical situation even two years down the road. Still, it would probably be easier (should Kidd and/or the Mavs want to part ways) if another franchise had designs on hiring him and Kidd wanted to go there. In that sense, it's a shame all of this didn't happen last summer. 

I keep seeing folks suggest things along the lines of "if Flagg wants Kidd to be here, you keep him." I agree to a point, but I think that's short-sighted. A 19-yo is probably not the best judge of what's best for the franchise or even for himself, frankly, AND, I think that's the kind of thinking that got us to the place where Luka became an undisciplined problem in some key areas. I don't believe that Flagg would respond to change like a primadonna (not yet, at least) and I think the Mavs, during Luka's early seasons, might've trained him to become "difficult." Obviously, staying on the same page with your franchise player is important, but I think "give him whatever he wants" is and always will be a dead-end approach employed by mid-tier franchises, at least in a general sense. 

None of this to suggest one course of action over another, and I'm hopeful that managing a guy like Flagg while steering the franchise effectively is a specific area in which Ujiri is likely to excel...just saying.

I’m certainly not one of those saying if Flagg wants Kidd here you keep him. I’m in the boat that it’ll be a combination of the three things I listed. Period.

I agree that catering to your star is a fine line. I feel pretty confident in saying that Flagg and Luka are likely very different personalities. Not just the cultural differences and background but on-court as well. 

Having a proven guy like Masai in the big chair, combined with how I view Flagg, I think the franchise is in a good place going forward and will navigate some of the “little big things” the right way.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Kidd is not a great coach and he knows it...

[Smitty]

https://x.com/LindsayDunnTV/status/20525...51/video/1


I like this guy. On a human level. I hope he succeeds here!

[Winter]

https://x.com/LindsayDunnTV/status/20525...51/video/1


I like this guy. On a human level. I hope he succeeds here!

It feels like he's had more interaction with the media in two days than Nico had in two years.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Why would we ever hear about it? Assuming only Dumont and Masai know that Masai was PD'S "unpaid private consultant" for the last few months, on matters that would impact what Masai will be able to do starting in May, do we think Dumont or Masai will have a sudden urge to get the Mavs hit with a tampering charge, and a loss of a pick or a big fine? I suspect they will be just fine letting sleeping dogs lie.

Like "21", I kind of wonder if Riccardi was read in or if there was a sudden change in what Dumont was communicating to him (recall the public stance was "Patrick wants to keep AD") or if that public stance was just misdirection all along.  As you say, we will probably never know.

More importantly, to carry this theory out even more (since we don't have that much else to do), what was the end-game of the decision to trade AD for flexibility.  I've assumed any new GM would take their time evaluating before making any big move.  Maybe that evaluating has been going on for months.  I'm seeing some clickbait pieces on YouTube trying to promote a Giannis to Dallas narrative.  I've largely ignored them based on my theory above.  Now I'm not so sure.

Admittedly, other teams have more assets than Dallas.  So, this is 100% dependent on Giannis refusing to extend this summer and demanding a trade to a specific location...Dallas.  But, Masai has been after him for years and apparently has a relationship.  There is also the Kidd relationship.  Cooper and Kyrie make fantastic running mates and the potential of being reunited with old friend Middleton might be an underappreciated strategic asset.  The trade of AD put us so far under the tax that we can take on the full 125% + $250k trade spread and still have room.  

There are multiple 3 player combos that work for the outgoing salary as long as PJ is involved.  It can include Gafford or Klay along with Martin.  Naji can be substituted if it is Klay instead of Gafford going with PJ.  It could also be PJ along with Gafford and Klay.  I would assume players like Gafford or Klay would likely end up on a third team with draft assets and expiring filler flowing back to Milwaukee.  Obviously the biggest outgoing asset would be out 2026 Lottery pick.  The higher the better, but how high is too high that you'd rather just have the pick?  

Trading using the 125% rule would hard cap us at the first apron.  Depending on the package, we'd almost assuredly be taxpayers again...but Dumond seems to have a pretty open checkbook.  Anyway, not the most likely thing in the world, but the conversation about Masai knowing he was coming for several months and maybe even advising on the AD trade got me to thinking....