Mike Schmitz Takes Over as Mavericks General Manager
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The Dallas Mavericks formally introduced Mike Schmitz as general manager on May 10, two days after appointing the 35-year-old executive to lead the club’s front office under new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.
Schmitz arrives in Dallas after serving as assistant general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers. His résumé also includes scouting for DraftExpress and draft analysis for ESPN.
“It’s been chaotic in a beautiful way,” Schmitz told reporters at the NBA draft lottery. “To be able to be a general manager for such a prestigious organization, working in unison with Masai, Governor Patrick Dumont, and the rest of the ownership group believing in me, it’s a really, really important time.”
Ujiri, who has known Schmitz for years through international scouting trips in Africa, Europe, and the United States, called his new GM “an incredible scout and incredible leader” who brings a comprehensive skill set to Dallas.
The long-standing relationship is expected to shape decision-making. “Him being able to trust in me and me being able to lean on him in a variety of different areas—I think it’s going to work great,” Schmitz said.
With the Mavericks holding the No. 9 selection in the 2026 draft, along with picks No. 30 and No. 48, Schmitz expressed confidence in landing immediate help. “We want someone who can bring a variety of different skills and the mentality we’re looking for, and we’re really confident we can get a rotation-level player,” he noted.
Schmitz credited his Portland tenure for teaching him how to guide a basketball operations department and said he plans to foster a collaborative approach in Dallas. He also pointed to Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg’s versatility as a key asset in shaping the roster moving forward.
Source: Hoops Rumors
