DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki spent part of Monday discussing the Dallas Mavericks‘ new leadership structure in a phone interview with Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
Dallas brought in Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations in May. About two weeks later, the Mavericks moved on from Jason Kidd with roughly $40 million remaining on his contract. Mike Schmitz became the general manager. Dallas named Dusty May head coach on June 23, only hours before the first round of the NBA Draft. Six days later, Ujiri delivered the opening remarks at May’s introductory news conference at American Airlines Center.
Dirk Nowitzki Has Texted With Masai Ujiri
Nowitzki said he and Ujiri have been in touch by text this summer. A sit-down could come later to talk through whether Nowitzki wants any formal involvement with the organization. For now, he does not have a defined role.
“Masai is obviously a proven winner and a champion,” Nowitzki said. “I’ve known him for a long, long time. We’ve been together at NBA Africa events. I’m looking forward to getting to know him a little more. He’s obviously got a great track record. He’s made a lot of changes and brought his own people in.”
Very little on the basketball side was left untouched. Former president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison was fired during the 2025-26 season. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi handled the front office on an interim basis the rest of the way as Dallas finished 26-56, 12th in the Western Conference.
“Don’t know much about [Schmitz],” Nowitzki continued. “I know he’s got a very good draft record. And with [May], I don’t watch a ton of college basketball but I just know his players love him. I’m excited to see what he’s going to implement, how the team is going to look, what’s his type of leadership, what plays are they gonna run. It’s going to be fun to analyze and see where his imprint is going to take this team.”
Dusty May’s Record Before Dallas
May coached two seasons at Michigan and went 64-13. Last season ended 34-3, with the Wolverines beating UConn 69-63 to win the program’s first national championship since 1989. Before Ann Arbor, May spent six seasons at Florida Atlantic and compiled a 126-69 record, taking the Owls to the 2023 Final Four.
The last coach before May to leave a reigning national champion for an NBA job was Billy Donovan, who went from Florida to Oklahoma City in 2015.
Mike Schmitz’s First Draft In Dallas
Dallas came out of draft night with four new players. The Mavericks used the ninth pick on Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr.. They later packaged the No. 30 pick and other assets to move up to No. 25 for Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea. Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal went at No. 48, and Dallas acquired the rights to Vsevolod Ishchenko at No. 56 in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Johnson signed a rookie deal worth roughly $30 million. De Larrea’s four-year rookie contract figures to total $16.3 million. Lawal signed a two-way contract.
Kidd spent four and a half seasons coaching Dallas. He said last week in Manila that he would consider returning to an NBA bench.
Because of its overseas preseason schedule, Dallas will begin training camp before Sept. 29.
