Mavericks Overhauled Roster and Coaching Staff

The Dallas franchise revamped its leadership and team structure following two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball

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The Dallas Mavericks have appointed Masai Ujiri as team president and hired Dusty May as head coach following a major organizational restructuring. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following a 26-56 finish in the 2025-26 season, the Dallas Mavericks underwent a major organizational restructuring during the 2026 offseason. Patrick Dumont centralized basketball decision-making power by hiring Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor.

Why it matters

The changes aim to establish an orthodox organizational structure for the franchise after failing to reach the playoffs in consecutive years. By appointing Ujiri, ownership signaled a pivot toward a new long-term strategy for the basketball operations department.

The Mavericks finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record. The team acquired 21-year-old Zaccharie Risacher in a three-team trade and selected Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall draft pick.

The players

Masai Ujiri

He is the president and alternate governor of the Dallas Mavericks who previously led basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors.

Patrick Dumont

He is the governor of the Dallas Mavericks who authorized the transfer of basketball decision-making authority to Masai Ujiri.

Dusty May

He is the current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks who was hired in June 2026 following his tenure at the University of Michigan.

Kyrie Irving

He is a nine-time NBA All-Star who missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a knee injury.

Jason Kidd

He is the former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks who was fired during the 2026 organizational shakeup.

The details

President Masai Ujiri fired head coach Jason Kidd and hired Dusty May as the new head coach on June 22, 2026. Ujiri also brought on Mike Schmitz to serve as the new general manager, consolidating authority to reshape the roster.

Timeline

  1. Mark Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in 2000.

  2. Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending left knee ACL tear in March 2025.

  3. Masai Ujiri was hired as team president in May 2026.

  4. Dusty May was officially hired as head coach on June 22, 2026.

  5. The 2026-27 season opener is scheduled for October 21, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This total restructuring moves the Mavericks away from the era characterized by the 2000 ownership acquisition and toward a new era of personnel control. The hire of Masai Ujiri fundamentally alters the franchise's approach to the upcoming season's competitive balance.

Fans can anticipate a completely different rotation and coaching scheme for the season opener on October 21. The roster additions of Zaccharie Risacher and Morez Johnson Jr. indicate a younger, rebuilding core for the franchise.

The takeaway

The franchise is prioritizing long-term structural stability over immediate results by empowering a new executive team. Fans should expect a transition period as the team integrates new draft picks and coaching systems throughout the 2026-27 season.

What happens next

The Dallas Mavericks are scheduled to begin their 2026-27 regular season on October 21, 2026.

Further reading

For more background on the team's evolution, visit the Dallas Basketball page.

Live Poll

Do you believe the Dallas Mavericks' major offseason changes will lead to a successful season?