Masai Ujiri says Mavericks needed ‘clean slate’ after firing Jason Kidd

Masai Ujiri insists the decision to move on from Jason Kidd came down to one thing. A fresh start.

Speaking Wednesday, one day after the Mavericks officially parted ways with Kidd, Ujiri repeatedly emphasized the organization needed a “clean slate” as it tries to reshape itself following one of the most chaotic stretches in franchise history.

“Being transparent with everybody, I think a new slate was a good way to look at this,” Ujiri said, via the Associated Press. “I feel sometimes in this organization we needed clarity in where we’re going.”

Ujiri also made it clear that the decision was his.

“I have to be accountable with a decision like this,” he said. “I also have to be very active in how I look at the organization from top to bottom.”

The move comes just weeks after Ujiri officially took over basketball operations in Dallas and immediately began reshaping the front office.

And while many around the league naturally connected Kidd’s dismissal to the disastrous Luka Doncic trade from 2025, Ujiri insisted that situation played no role in his thinking.

“Honestly, that trade has played no part in how I have thought about anything,” he said.

Still, it’s impossible to separate the context entirely.

The Mavericks spiraled after trading Doncic to the Lakers for a package centered around Anthony Davis. Dallas missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons afterward, injuries piled up and the organization entered full transition mode.

Now the focus shifts toward building around Cooper Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year and new face of the franchise.

Ujiri sounded especially intrigued by the idea of eventually pairing Flagg with Kyrie Irving, who missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in 2025.

“There’s a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg,” Ujiri said.

Ujiri also confirmed more organizational changes are ongoing.

New general manager Mike Schmitz has already been hired, executive Matt Riccardi is leaving the organization and discussions continue regarding a possible future role for longtime Mavericks figure Michael Finley.

As for Kidd, Ujiri acknowledged moving on wasn’t easy.

“What he’s done for this organization we truly respect,” Ujiri said. “So this was a very, very tough decision.”