The Roster Takes Shape
The Dallas Mavericks are making headway in their search for a new head coach after parting ways with Jason Kidd in May. Armed with reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, and a roster featuring quality players, the position represents an attractive opportunity for coaches on the open market.
With new team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz leading the front office, the Mavericks are attempting to turn the page on a tumultuous 16-month period following the trade of Luka Doncic in February 2025. Since that decision, Dallas fired general manager Nico Harrison, traded away Anthony Davis, and replaced its head coach. The franchise landed the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft, securing Cooper Flagg.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
The next coach will be tasked with developing Flagg further and guiding the Mavericks back toward contention. Marc Stein reports that Dallas is expected to speak with more than a dozen coaching candidates to find the right fit.
One candidate who naturally emerged is Duke coach Jon Scheyer, who coached Flagg during his lone season with the Blue Devils, when Duke reached the Final Four. The Mavericks have held exploratory conversations with Scheyer, though it's unclear if he's willing to leave what many consider the premier college basketball position in the country. Duke sits No. 2 in the latest rankings after returning four of their top six scorers and adding quality transfers.
The Margins Are Thin
The Mavericks have also reached out to Michigan coach Dusty May, who is coming off a national championship this past season.
A more conventional route involves hiring one of the league's top assistant coaches. The Mavericks previously contacted San Antonio's associate head coach Sean Sweeney, who served under Kidd for several seasons before accepting Orlando's position.
Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori has surfaced in recent coaching cycles. Nori brings defensive expertise that could elevate Dallas on that end of the floor. Pairing him with Flagg, who has shown flashes of All-Defensive potential, could prove impactful.
Other candidates include Houston Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, Celtics assistant Tony Dobbins and Miami Heat consultant Noah LaRoche.
The Next Test Arrives
Ivey served as an assistant under Billy Donovan in OKC, David Fizdale in New York, and Steve Nash in Brooklyn. He's been head coach of South Sudan's national team since 2021, leading the program to quarterfinals at AfroBasket 2021, a World Cup berth in 2023, and the country's first Olympic appearance in 2024. Ivey has experience working with star players including Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving.
Mahlalela joined the Raptors organization in 2006, became an assistant coach in 2013, and headed their G League affiliate in 2018. He spent two seasons as an assistant under Steve Kerr from 2021 to 2023, during which the team won a championship in 2022, returning to Toronto in 2023.
Dobbins began his coaching career in 2020 with the Celtics following a 13-year professional career overseas. He's quickly risen through Boston's ranks as a defensive-minded coach, serving as their summer league coach in 2023 and helping Jayson Tatum recover from an Achilles tear. Tatum praised Dobbins for his daily engagement, while Jaylen Brown highlighted his patience and ability to help players manage emotions during games.
LaRoche previously served as an assistant under Taylor Jenkins in Memphis before the Grizzlies restructured their staff in 2025. He joined Miami this season as a consultant to help reimagine the Heat's offense. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called him an innovative coaching mind. LaRoche installed a more free-flowing, uptempo style that would suit Dallas, particularly with a budding star like Flagg who excels getting downhill and playing in transition.