New NBA Rumors Reveal Potential Mavs HC Candidates After Jason Kidd's Exit

In the wake of Jason Kidd's surprise departure as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the club could have at least two potential candidates in mind to fill that void.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Sean Sweeney and Micah Nori could end up on Dallas' radar given how they are regarded across the NBA and their connection to the organization.

The Mavs entered the coaching market on Tuesday when it was announced they had agreed to mutually part ways with Kidd, who still had four years remaining on his contract after signing an extension in October.

Kidd's departure comes in the wake of Masai Ujiri being hired as team president to oversee basketball operations after Nico Harrison was fired in November amid a tumultuous run highlighted by trading Luka Dončić in February 2025.

Sweeney was an assistant for the Mavs on Kidd's staff for four seasons from 2021 to '25. He left in June 2025 to become an associate head coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Mitch Johnson.

The 41-year-old Sweeney has been working in the NBA since 2011, including 13 straight seasons as an assistant coach. He has also been linked to the Chicago Bulls as a potential candidate to replace Billy Donovan.

Nori just wrapped up his fifth season as the lead assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has interviewed for several head-coaching jobs in recent years, including with the New York Knicks last offseason before they hired Mike Brown.

The first job Nori had in the NBA was as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors from 2009 to '13. He left Toronto in the same offseason that Ujiri was hired as the team's general manager.

Nori has also worked with the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons before getting his current gig with the T-Wolves.

Despite coming off a 26-56 record this season, the Mavericks job figures to be incredibly attractive thanks to the presence of Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old won Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 70 starts.