Knicks' shocking Thibodeau firing reignites Mavericks' coaching nightmare

The Dallas Mavericks have been blessed with a stable and talented coaching staff. Jason Kidd found immediate success after his hiring in 2021, leading the Mavs to their best regular season since 2011 and a Conference Finals appearance in 2022.

Behind Kidd's success stands an unsung hero, one who has accompanied the former Mavs star in each of his nine seasons as a head coach.

Sean Sweeney has quietly built a reputation as one of the league's premier assistant coaches, attracting head coaching interest as a result. After Tom Thibodeau was fired by the New York Knicks today, there is a new head coaching position on the market that is too impressive to reject.

Knicks' head coaching vacancy puts Mavs in danger of losing Sweeney

To determine just how talented and valuable of a coach Sweeney is, you must first consider the development of his stars. In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the assistant coach and had Sweeney personally train the future MVP during the offseason. After coaching Luka Doncic on the Mavs, Sweeney helped out Team Slovenia to coach Doncic there. Kevin Garnett and Derek Lively II are other players who have showered Sweeney with praise.

When asked about Sweeney, his peers emphasize his relentless work ethic and unwavering loyalty. Sweeney's coaching career began while he was still playing Division 3 college basketball in Minnesota, working for an AAU and Junior College team as an upperclassman. He climbed the ranks of the coaching industry through sheer grit, landing a video coordinator position with the Nets and ultimately ending up as Kidd's right-hand man.

As a coach, Sweeney is a tactical genius who serves as a defensive coordinator for the Mavs. In Kidd and Sweeney's first year in Dallas, the Mavs jumped from 21st to 7th in defensive rating. Sweeney helped Kidd and the Bucks become the defensive juggernaut they became, with Antetokounmpo eventually winning Defensive Player of the Year.

Perhaps most importantly, the players love Sweeney. Maintaining buy-in from the team is one of the most essential skills a coach can have. Sweeney's obsessive dedication and ability to connect with his players make Sweeney a great option for a team like the Knicks, who built their identity around uniting former college teammates and friends.

Sweeney is a perfect fit for the Knicks, as New York had a massive defensive problem under Thibodeau. Lineups with both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns left New York exposed in the playoffs, as former Mavs coach Rick Carlisle and the Pacers demonstrated in the Eastern Conference Finals. Carlisle clearly outcoached Thibodeau, and the Pacers ended up beating the Knicks in six games.

If the Knicks decide to hire or at least pursue Sweeney with Thibodeau gone, the Mavs will have no way to retain their star assistant. This Knicks roster has the firepower to compete for a title immediately, and Sweeney could establish a long and successful head coaching career if he heads to New York.

Sweeney has been interviewed for multiple job positions in his Mavericks career, the most publicized offers being from the Pistons in 2024 and the Suns this offseason. Fortunately for the Mavericks, both the Pistons and Suns ultimately selected other candidates. Mavs fans can only hope the Knicks do not choose to hire Sweeney, and it remains to be seen if Sweeney will be on their radar.