As Masai Ujiri launches a comprehensive search for Jason Kidd’s successor, a mix of defensive maestros, championship winners, and college mentors emerge to lead Dallas’ new era.
DALLAS -Masai Ujiri is in the process of engineering a clean sweep as he takes over as Dallas Mavs president, with Jason Kidd now pushed out after agreeing to "part ways'' after five seasons with the club.
Who's next?
"A comprehensive search,'' Ujiri said on Wednesday. “I don’t think there’s a timeline right now. But it’s something that we want to get done the right way.”
For me, eight "right-way'' names jump to the top - each of them with their own special credentials and their own special justification.
Those eight ...
Sean Sweeney, 41: Kidd's longtime assistant left in 2025 to work as the associate head coach with the Spurs under Mitch Johnson. He's learned the ropes. He fits here. He's ready for his first top job. ... and in fact he's a hot commodity in regard to other openings around the NBA.
Nick Nurse, 58: He's the head coach of the 76ers, but they are undergoing change with the firing of team president Daryl Morey. Maybe their new boss fires Nurse? Or maybe Nurse - who served as the head coach under Ujiri in Toronto when the Raptors won their 2019 championship - can work his way free. This is a natural marriage.
Tom Thibodeau, 68: In terms of hiring a "name''? Yes, the former Knicks coach would give Dallas that. He's a defense-first grinder; it's that the best way to nuture the progress of young star Cooper Flagg?
Jon Scheyer, 38: Speaking of Flagg ... why not reach out to Duke coach Scheyer, who mentored Flagg in college? He's never done it before - not at this level - and with just three years of head-coaching experience, he is the antithesis of Thibs and Nurse. But if it's all about Flagg? He should be on the list.
Micah Nori, 52: The Minnesota assistant Micah Nori has some old Toronto ties, but more importantly, he's very much "in the cycle'' when it comes to candidacy, as he's interviewed for top jobs in recent years.
Billy Donovan, 52: He recently stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons and is now considered a front-runner for the job in Orlando. In 11 seasons as an NBA head coach between the Bulls and Oklahoma City, Donovan owns a 469-413 record with six playoff appearances.
Jared Dudley, 40: He was a "Kidd guy'' who came here immediately after retiring from playing to join the Dallas staff in 2021. He served as an assistant coach for four years before moving to Denver as their top assistant. With Ujiri's housecleaning here, though, he probably doesn't have a supportive "angel'' in the building.
Dusty May, 49: Michigan men's basketball head coach insists he's staying in college - where he's spent his entire career. But after winning the national championship, he's a hot NBA name - and it'll stay that way until he gets a fat new extension from the Wolverines.
