Searching for Jason Kidd’s successor, Dallas is gauging interest from NCAA stars Jon Scheyer and Dusty May while weighing a diverse shortlist of NBA assistants and veteran coaches.
DALLAS - Immediately upon learning that the Dallas Mavericks were "parting ways'' with coach Jason Kidd, I wrote my "top-eight candidates'' analysis and made sure to include NCAA standouts Jon Scheyer of Duke and Dusty May of Michigan.
And now it seems that tandem isn't just on my wish list; Scheyer and May are on Dallas' wish list as well.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on Thursday that the Mavericks have conducted "exploratory conversations" with Scheyer and May "to try to determine if there is any interest."
In the case of May? He just agreed to a new contract extension with Michigan.
In the case of Scheyer? He is under at Duke through the 2030-31 season. ... but as I suggested in our previous report on him, the fact that he coached Cooper Flagg - Dallas' 19-year-old centerpiece player - could be a lure here.
Stein reported that it "remains to be seen" whether Scheyer or May would consider leaving their college programs, and that the Mavericks hiring an NBA assistant seems to be "a more realistic outcome."
The Mavericks' list there, per Stein? We've known about Dallas having interest in Minnesota Timberwolves aide Micah Nori. Stein adds the names of the Houston Rockets' Royal Ivey, the Toronto Rockets' Jama Mahlalela, the Boston Celtics' Tony Dobbins and the Miami Heat's Noah LaRoche, Stein reported.
Former Atlanta Hawks coach Terry Stotts is also expected to get an interview, Stein reported.
The Mavericks previously hoped they might get some traction with San Antonio Spurs associate coach Sean Sweeney, a former Dallas assistant, but he'd been hired as the new top man with the Orlando Magic, Stein reported.
There is also a rumor of some level of interest in women's college coach Dawn Staley, and that exploration would fit the profile of new Mavericks president Masai Ujiri, who is certain to cast a wide net here.
"I think our minds are very open. We're going to look everywhere," Ujiri said recently. "We will really try to look at what's best for this organization, be it first-time, be it experienced, be it college, be it European. Everywhere."
