The Dallas Mavericks‘ impressive post-season run came crashing down in the Finals against the Boston Celtics. The team stood no chance with the Celts as they took home a dominant 4-1 series win. While everyone expected Luka Doncic & Co. to come back with another title run in the next season, they had a huge setback. The Texas side started their off-season with a possibility of NBA legend Jason Kidd losing his trusted allies.
Coaching a team isn’t a one-man job. It’s the supporting staff that facilitates the head coach to do his job with ease. Jason Kidd, the HC of the Mavs, had one such team of assistant coaches. They helped the side adapt quickly to Kyrie Irving’s inclusion. However, the latest update revealed that Kidd could lose two of his trusted assistants. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Detroit Pistons have permission to interview the Mavs’ assistant Sean Sweeney following the dismissal of Monty Williams.
ESPN Sources: The Detroit Pistons have permission to interview Dallas assistant Sean Sweeney and Minnesota assistant Micah Nori for newly vacant coaching job. Pistons are also planning to interview former Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff, who'll be available to meet sooner than the…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024
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Apart from Sean Sweeney, an earlier report from Marc Stein stated that the LA Lakers could pouch another assistant, Jared Dudley. Stein reasoned that the LA side decided to rope in Dudley to stack the coaching staff surrounding JJ Redick with experience. Rob Pelinka, vice president, said, “Surrounding Redick with an elite coaching staff will help shorten his learning curve into his first coaching job.”
These two back-to-back updates following the NBA Finals have put a hold on Mavericks’ title run. The short-handed Mavs’ coaching unit might require a quick rebuild before they decide their trade options for the upcoming season. Even though the Mavs made the right judgment with their big men, Dereck Lively II and Danieal Gafford, they will have to work on their supporting cast.
The lack of shooters in the Finals made it difficult for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to find space to shoot. Nevertheless, they need to fix their coaching unit before thinking about the roster.
The Mavs could save one of their assistants
ESPN’s Woj only stated that the Pistons have permission to interview Sean Sweeney. The interview could go either way and the Mavs may have the chance to retain him. However, considering the Pistons’ desperate attempt to find a replacement for Monty Williams, the outcome could be anything. So let’s consider it a 50-50 chance for the Mavs to retain Sweeney.
On the other hand, Marc Stein, who reported the Lakers’ attempt to pouch Jared Dudley, revealed that the Mavs have shown “intent” to keep him. So, it’s a given that Jason Kidd might secure at least one of his assistants, or maybe both of them. The NBA world has to wait for the official update to come to any conclusion.
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Moreover, the official update may come in anytime in the next few days, considering the 2024 NBA Draft window. It’s highly possible for a franchise to hire a head coach before heading into the Draft. So, the Pistons might surprise the hoops community in the coming days. Apart from that, hiring a new assistant coach could also turn out to be successful for the side. What do you make of the Mavs’ time bomb situation? Let us know in the comments.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about WNBA sensations, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, in this video
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