NBA : Dallas turn to Dusty May to usher out the Jason Kidd era
The Mavericks have taken a surprise route with their bench. According to Shams Charania, Dusty May is set to take charge of the Texas franchise and replace Jason Kidd. It marks the 49-year-old’s first NBA job, just weeks after he led Michigan to the college title.
It is a bold call. But in Dallas, the focus is on a fresh start after a brutal season.
From Michigan to Texas in a matter of months
Dusty May did not get long to enjoy his NCAA crown. He arrived at Michigan in 2024 to revive a fading programme, and in just two seasons he dragged the Wolverines back to the top of college basketball.
That title only added to the reputation he built earlier at Florida Atlantic, where his shock team reached the Final Four in 2023. His work has not gone unnoticed. The Mavericks have put their rebuild in his hands, convinced his profile fits the club’s new direction.
A huge job awaits in Dallas
The 2025-2026 season left scars in Texas. With just 26 wins and 56 defeats, the Mavericks finished a long way off the standards their fans expect. Dusty May arrives into a tricky situation.
He will have to give a drifting team an identity and guide the rise of Cooper Flagg, the Rookie of the Year and now widely seen as the face of the franchise. More young players will also join the roster after the Draft. Dallas may now be even more likely to target Michigan players, perhaps even at No 9, with Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson among the options the Mavericks could take. Answers tomorrow.
All of which means development and patience will be the watchwords over the next few months.
on MathODDS
His first taste of the pro game
At 49, Dusty May is about to step into a world he has never known. Until now, his career has been built entirely in college basketball. Dallas has handed him his first shot at the top level, and the pressure will be obvious.
The Mavericks are coming off a messy year, and part of the rebuild now sits in the hands of a coach who has climbed the ladder steadily in recent seasons. The next chapter of his career will be written in the NBA, with a big task in front of him: get Dallas back on track.
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