Mavericks President Masai Ujiri Keeps Jason Kidd’s Status Open, Highlights Plans Around Rookie Star Cooper Flagg
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Dallas — New Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri declined to guarantee head coach Jason Kidd’s return while meeting the media on Tuesday, saying he will conduct a comprehensive review of the organization before making any decisions.
“He’s done a great job, but we are going to look at this thing from head to toe,” Ujiri told reporters during his introductory press conference. “That’s the right way to look at an organization and evaluate in every single way we can.”
Although his comments created immediate speculation, Ujiri cited past examples with the Nuggets and Raptors, where he retained inherited coaches George Karl and Dwane Casey for three and five seasons, respectively. “I’m going to hear Coach Jason Kidd out, his thoughts on everything,” he added. “I have to follow the process here. I’m excited to meet with him.”
Focus on restoring stability and winning
Ujiri said his main objective is to move past the franchise’s turbulent last 18 months. “I hope to bring calm. I hope to bring winning,” he said. “Yes, we want to get back to winning. This is a winning organization. I know the fan base wants that. I know the organization wants that. I know leadership wants that. I know the NBA wants that.”
Cooper Flagg viewed as generational cornerstone
The presence of 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg was a major draw for Ujiri. “The one difficult thing to find anywhere in sports is a generational player, and we have one,” he noted. Ujiri envisions the 19-year-old as a ball-dominant playmaker and plans to surround him with shooters who can stretch the floor.
He also looks forward to pairing Flagg with point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from an ACL tear. “I dream like you dream. I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be pretty cool, and I know it’s going to help Cooper, because Kyrie likes to play off the ball too,” Ujiri said.
Early chemistry with governor Patrick Dumont
Ujiri recalled that his first meeting with Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont—a lunch scheduled for one hour—stretched to five hours as the two discussed their vision for the team. “They kicked us out of the restaurant,” Ujiri joked, describing how the conversation continued outdoors after the venue transitioned to dinner service.
The Mavericks hired Ujiri after a search to replace former top executive Nico Harrison. No timeline was given for final decisions on Kidd or other staff members.
Source: Hoops Rumors
