Dusty May Eyes Veteran NBA Coaches to Strengthen Mavericks' New-Look Staff

The Dallas Mavericks continue to reshape their organization following the hiring of Dusty May as head coach, and attention has now shifted toward assembling an experienced coaching staff. As May prepares for his first season in the NBA after a successful college coaching career, the franchise is reportedly targeting veteran assistants with extensive professional experience.

According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, two familiar coaching names have emerged as leading candidates to join May’s bench. Former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green and former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin are both expected to be considered as Dallas finalizes its staff ahead of the new season.

Adding experienced assistants has become an increasingly common strategy for first-time NBA head coaches. Veteran staff members often provide valuable insight into game preparation, player development, and the daily challenges of navigating an 82-game regular season while helping new head coaches adjust to the demands of the professional level.

For the Mavericks, surrounding May with proven basketball minds could be an important step as the organization looks to strengthen its position in the highly competitive Western Conference. While the roster continues to evolve, building an experienced coaching group appears to be one of the franchise’s immediate offseason priorities.

1. Dallas Pursues Experienced Leadership

Reports indicate that Willie Green is among the primary candidates being pursued by the Mavericks. Green recently completed a four-year tenure as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans and remains one of the league’s most respected basketball minds despite becoming available earlier this season. Green has reportedly drawn interest from multiple organizations. In addition to Dallas, the Golden State Warriors have also been linked to the veteran coach as they explore the possibility of bringing him back to Steve Kerr’s coaching staff in an assistant role. The Mavericks are also reportedly evaluating Adrian Griffin as another potential addition. Griffin has earned widespread respect throughout the NBA after spending many years as an assistant coach before receiving his first opportunity to lead a team as Milwaukee’s head coach. Another name connected to Dallas is Miami Heat consultant Noah LaRoche, who has built a strong reputation for player development and tactical preparation. Together, those reported candidates reflect the Mavericks’ desire to surround May with experienced voices capable of helping guide the organization through an important transition.

2. Green and Griffin Bring Proven Résumés

Green’s coaching experience extends well beyond his years in New Orleans. During his four seasons with the Pelicans, he helped guide the franchise to the playoffs in 2022 after successfully navigating the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, providing the organization with one of its most competitive stretches in recent years. The following season, New Orleans finished with a 42-40 record despite dealing with significant injuries throughout the roster. Green earned praise for keeping the team competitive under difficult circumstances while continuing to develop several young players. His tenure eventually came to an end after the Pelicans opened the 2025-26 season with a disappointing 2-10 record, leading the organization to make a coaching change early in the campaign. Even so, Green remains highly regarded for his leadership abilities and defensive expertise. Griffin also enters the offseason with valuable head coaching experience despite his brief stay in Milwaukee. After years as a respected assistant, he took over the Bucks during the first season featuring the star partnership of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, overseeing a team that posted an impressive 30-13 record through its first 43 games before the organization unexpectedly decided to move in a different direction.

3. Building a Strong Foundation Around May

For Dusty May, assembling the right coaching staff may be just as important as shaping the roster itself. After establishing himself as one of college basketball’s top coaches, he now faces the challenge of transitioning to the NBA, where managing veteran players and navigating a longer season present entirely different demands. Experienced assistants can play a critical role during that adjustment. Coaches such as Green and Griffin have firsthand knowledge of NBA scouting, player management, playoff preparation, and the daily responsibilities that accompany leading professional teams throughout a demanding schedule. The Mavericks appear to recognize the value of blending May’s fresh perspective with the experience of coaches who have already navigated the league’s highest levels. Such a combination could provide Dallas with a balanced coaching structure capable of adapting throughout the season. Although no official appointments have been announced, the reported pursuit of Green, Griffin, and other experienced assistants signals the Mavericks’ commitment to building a strong foundation around their new head coach. As preparations continue for the upcoming season, the composition of May’s coaching staff could play a significant role in determining how quickly Dallas establishes itself as a contender in the Western Conference.