Masai Ujiri built a champion in Toronto by being patient and then decisive. His first summer running the Dallas Mavericks looked like the patient part.
Here is what the new front office did, in order, and what it tells you about the plan.
May 4-19: New people in charge
Ujiri was named president and alternate governor on May 4. Four days later he hired Mike Schmitz, Portland's assistant general manager and a former ESPN draft analyst, as GM. On May 19, the Mavericks and Jason Kidd agreed to part ways.
The team had been run by co-interim GMs since Nico Harrison was fired in November after a 3-8 start. The Anthony Davis trade to Washington at the February deadline, which brought back draft picks, had already signaled the direction.
June 23: A coach and two draft picks
Dusty May, fresh off a national championship at Michigan, was hired hours before the draft. Dallas then took Morez Johnson Jr., May's forward at Michigan, at No. 9. Later in the first round it selected Arizona's Koa Peat at No. 30 and flipped him to New York for Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea, the No. 25 pick.
July 8: The six-team trade
Dallas acquired forward Santi Aldama from Memphis, guard Marcus Sasser from Detroit and the rights to Tarik Biberovic. It sent AJ Johnson and a protected 2030 Golden State first-round pick to Memphis, and Khris Middleton went to Washington in a sign-and-trade.
July 19: The headline move
The Mavericks acquired Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, from Atlanta in a three-team deal, giving up guard Ryan Nembhard and a second-round pick. For the cost, it may prove the best value move of the summer. Risacher is 21 and still on his rookie contract.
