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.

On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast (starts at 52:05 mark), ESPN's Tim MacMahon explained that Sweeney's past connection as an assistant for Kidd going back to the Brooklyn Nets won't negatively impact the Mavs' interest because they "would consider him as an individual" if they want to hire him.

MacMahon also noted there is a "big-name college coach" that has been rumored to be on Dallas' radar, with Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reporting the team will reach out to Duke's Jon Scheyer, who notably coached Cooper Flagg in college.

However, Siegel noted Scheyer is "committed to his current position," while MacMahon argued that Ujiri's track record suggests he is more interested in finding the "next great coach" rather than trying to make a marquee hire.

Ujiri's two head-coaching hires during his tenure with the Toronto Raptors were Nick Nurse in 2018 and Darko Rajaković in 2023. Neither one had any NBA head-coaching experience at the time they were hired, but they had worked in the top job overseas and in the G League.

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 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 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.