Masai Ujiri is the New President of the Dallas Mavericks

May 4, 2026, 17:51
CanadaSports

Introduction

The Dallas Mavericks have a new leader. Masai Ujiri is now the team president.

Main Body

The team had many problems. They fired their manager in November. They traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Now, the team wants to build a new group of players around Cooper Flagg. Masai Ujiri has a lot of experience. He worked in the NBA for 15 years. He helped the Toronto Raptors win a championship in 2019. The owner, Patrick Dumont, thinks Ujiri is a great leader. Ujiri now controls the basketball team. He chooses the players. Two other managers, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, are still there. Ujiri will decide if they can stay.

Conclusion

Masai Ujiri is the new boss. He will help the team grow with Cooper Flagg.

Learning

Time Travel: Past → Present

Look at how the words change when we talk about before and now.

The Past (Finished)

  • had → (The team had problems)
  • fired → (They fired the manager)
  • worked → (He worked in the NBA)
  • helped → (He helped Toronto win)

The Present (Right Now)

  • is → (Masai is the president)
  • wants → (The team wants to build)
  • controls → (Ujiri controls the team)
  • chooses → (He chooses the players)

Quick Rule: To talk about the past, we often just add -ed to the end of the action word (work → worked). But some words are special and change completely (have → had).

Vocabulary Learning

team (n.)
A group of people working together
Example:The team practiced every day.
leader
a person who leads or commands a group
Example:The leader of the class gave a short speech.
new (adj.)
Recently made or found
Example:She bought a new book.
team
a group of people who work together
Example:Our team won the competition.
leader (n.)
A person who leads or directs a group
Example:The leader spoke to the crowd.
manager
a person who runs or supervises a group or organization
Example:The manager checked the reports.
manager (n.)
A person who runs or oversees a business
Example:The manager checked the reports.
fired
to remove someone from a job
Example:He was fired for not meeting the goals.
players (n.)
People who play a sport or game
Example:The players warmed up before the match.
traded
to exchange one thing for another
Example:They traded their old bike for a new one.
experience (n.)
Knowledge or skill gained from doing something
Example:He has experience in teaching.
build
to create or make something
Example:She will build a sandcastle.
worked (v.)
Performed a job or task
Example:She worked at a bakery.
group
a collection of people or things
Example:The group gathered in the park.
helped (v.)
Gave assistance to someone
Example:I helped my friend with homework.
players
people who play a game or sport
Example:The players practiced all day.
owner (n.)
A person who owns something
Example:The owner of the shop is friendly.
experience
knowledge gained from doing things
Example:He has experience in teaching.
great (adj.)
Very good or excellent
Example:It was a great day.
worked
performed a job or task
Example:She worked at the library.
choose (v.)
Select something or someone
Example:Please choose a color.
years
a period of 12 months
Example:They have been friends for five years.
still (adv.)
Even now; continuing
Example:He still lives there.
helped
gave assistance
Example:She helped her friend with homework.
stay (v.)
Remain in the same place
Example:Stay here until I return.
great
very good
Example:That cake is great.
boss (n.)
A person in charge of others
Example:The boss gave us tasks.
boss
the person in charge of a workplace
Example:The boss gave us new tasks.
grow (v.)
Become larger or develop
Example:Plants grow when watered.
grow
to become larger or stronger
Example:The plant will grow if watered.
control
to have power over something
Example:He can control the lights.
choose
to pick something
Example:I will choose the blue one.
still
even now; not yet changed
Example:She is still learning.
decide
to make a choice
Example:They will decide tomorrow.
stay
to remain in a place
Example:They will stay at the hotel.