The Dallas Mavericks have entered a full-scale rebuild after parting ways with head coach Jason Kidd last month. New team president Masai Ujiri made the move following a disappointing 26-56 season, where Kyrie Irving missed the entire year. This roster and staff overhaul comes just two years after Kidd led the franchise to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Right now, Ujiri’s main priority is finding a head coach to develop Cooper Flagg. Early on, the front office looked closely at two college coaches. Duke Blue Devils’ Jon Scheyer has direct ties to Flagg and Mavericks big man Dereck Lively II. He also holds a 124-25 record at Duke.
Michigan Wolverines’ Dusty May was also reported as a possible candidate. He is known for his modern offense and his Final Four run with FAU. For a fanbase looking for hope, these college coaches offered an exciting direction. But that lane appears to be closing fast.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported the industry shift this week, writing that despite the college rumblings, the belief around the league is that the “most likely outcome for Dallas is elevating one of the NBA’s rising assistants.” This tracks with Ujiri’s hiring history in the Toronto Raptors, where he famously promoted assistant Nick Nurse, who won a championship in his first year.
Former Mavs assistant Sean Sweeney was a top candidate, but he quickly took the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic. Sweeney recently worked with the San Antonio Spurs, where Victor Wembanyama praised his defensive game plans.
Other available assistant coaches include Johnnie Bryant, Sam Cassell, and Jared Dudley. The next coach must earn Cooper Flagg’s trust and rebuild the team’s culture. Given Ujiri’s success with his past hires, a sharp NBA assistant fits the team’s current needs.