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The former architect of Toronto’s 2019 title arrives in Texas as Team President and Alternate Governor (the role with final authority over all franchise operations), bringing the experience and pedigree needed to rebuild from the rubble of a season that ended with the No. 12 seed in the West.

Despite now serving as a minority owner, Mark Cuban fully endorsed the move:

According to Cuban, Ujiri’s familiarity with structured ownership groups will make the transition smooth under Patrick Dumont, who took over from Cuban after acquiring the franchise’s majority stake.

Cooper Flagg the key to convincing Ujiri

If the team record was disappointing, the future already has a face: Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall pick in the latest Draft lived up to expectations by winning Rookie of the Yearproving he can be the cornerstone of the project.

With Kyrie Irving frequently sidelined and Anthony Davis limited by injuries (before later being traded to the Wizards), Flagg became the lone bright spot in a dark season for Dallas.

Ujiri is no stranger to blockbuster movesas shown by the Kawhi Leonard trade that delivered a title to Canada, and in his 15 years as an executive, his teams (Nuggets and Raptors) reached the playoffs 12 times.

His task now will be transforming a 26-win roster into a contender, building the ideal team around Flagg to return among the Western Conference elite.

The new Mavs president is best known for elevating the Toronto Raptors, but he is also deeply familiar with the West: his vision as Executive of the Year helped build the Denver Nuggets team that shocked the league in 2012-13finishing third with a 57-25 record.

That run ended in the first round of the playoffs with a clear 4-2 loss to the Golden State Warriors of Mark Jackson and a then-24-year-old Stephen Curry.

After a season spent in the dark, Dallas has made the move that could positively shape the franchise for years to come.