Former Mavericks coach makes too much sense as Jason Kidd’s successor

Well… it happened. Following Masai Ujiri's introductory press conference, in which the new team president was noncommittal about Jason Kidd's future, Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks have now "mutually agreed to part ways."

While the move may make Mavericks fans feel like Dallas is starting from scratch yet again, one former assistant immediately stands out as Kidd's logical successor: current San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney.

Why Sean Sweeney makes sense as Jason Kidd’s successor

Sweeney was one of the Mavericks' top assistants from 2021 to 2025, but his history with Kidd goes back much further. He previously coached alongside Kidd in Brooklyn and Milwaukee before joining Dwane Casey's staff in Detroit from 2018 to 2021.

Since arriving in Dallas in 2021, Sweeney has built a reputation as one of the NBA's most respected assistants. In his first season with the Mavericks, Dallas jumped from 21st to seventh in defensive rating — a reflection of the impact Sweeney made as the team's defensive coordinator.

Dallas' defensive rating slipped in the years that followed, but building around a ball-dominant superstar like Luka Doncic was never going to produce elite defensive results consistently. Still, Sweeney's value extended far beyond his defensive expertise. Around the league, he earned a reputation as both a respected strategist and an elite player developer.

Even now, without Doncic, Sweeney’s appeal in Dallas remains rooted in the franchise’s defensive identity. With a roster now built around interior size, switching versatility, and emerging two-way talent like Cooper Flagg, his schematic strengths align naturally with what the Mavericks are becoming rather than what they once were.

Beyond scheme fit, Sweeney’s strongest argument may come from player development. With Dallas transitioning to a new era, led by the 19-year-old Flagg, internal growth becomes a top priority. His track record shows he can maximize evolving talent, especially through defensive habits.

Sweeney has earned the respect of NBA elder statesmen like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, both of whom he coached in Brooklyn, as well as emerging superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom he began coaching early in the forward's rise in Milwaukee.

He was also a part of a surprising Pistons staff that helped lead Detroit to the playoffs behind Blake Griffin before the franchise entered a lengthy downturn following Griffin's departure.

Sweeney’s Mavericks tenure built his coaching reputation

Sweeney’s been around the block, but his 2021–2025 stint in Dallas may have been his most notable. It included a Western Conference Finals run and an NBA Finals appearance, both coming despite the Mavericks entering as a fourth- and fifth-seeded team, respectively.

All of which has elevated Sweeney into the conversation for a future head coaching job. He has interviewed with teams like the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns in recent offseasons before landing on the San Antonio Spurs’ staff. At this point, it increasingly feels as though Sweeney is on the verge of earning his first head coaching opportunity.

According to Jake Fischer via The Stein Line, Sweeney is expected to interview for the Orlando Magic’s head coaching vacancy and is also a candidate for the Chicago Bulls’ opening. He has become a hot commodity on the coaching market, and, with Kidd now out of the picture in Dallas, it wouldn't be surprising if the Mavericks consider pursuing Sweeney — especially with a revamped front office in place.

Could Sweeney return to Dallas?

Unlike external candidates who would require a full philosophical overhaul, Sweeney offers some level of continuity. He understands much of Dallas' personnel, both offensively and defensively, but has never been tied to a single offensive identity, allowing flexibility as Dallas reshapes its roster direction.

There was never a clear explanation for Sweeney’s departure from Kidd’s staff and the Mavericks a year ago. Whether it stemmed from Dallas’ inability to retain him or his own desire for a fresh start amid the organization’s turmoil, either way now feels like a plausible explanation.

Yet with Masai Ujiri now leading Dallas’ coaching search, Sweeney could emerge as a natural candidate to return. The former assistant helped build something strong during his time in Dallas, and Ujiri may be inclined to revisit that level of continuity and success.

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