Mavericks coach ditches team for 76ers after less than a month

It’s been an offseason of change for the Dallas Mavericks. This past year, they failed to make the Play-In Tournament, let alone the playoffs, and they cannot afford to suffer that same fate moving forward.

Dallas made a flurry of moves in an attempt to raise the ceiling of their team. They’ve been active in the draft, on the trade market, and in free agency.

The Mavericks drafted Dereck Lively II and Olivier Maxence-Prosper, traded for Richaun Holmes and Grant Williams, signed Seth Curry and Dante Exum, and handed star point guard Kyrie Irving a contract extension.

However, the roster isn’t the only thing that’s changed this summer in Dallas, as Jason Kidd’s coaching staff has undergone major changes in the forms of both additions and subtractions.

Former Utah Jazz assistant Alex Jensen joined the staff, and Tyson Chandler was on the sidelines at Summer League to mentor Lively II. However, the Mavericks have lost Greg St. Jean and Peter Patton.

And in a weird move, the Mavericks also gained and lost the same coach this summer - Bryan Gates.

Gates originally joined the Mavericks coaching staff at the beginning of July, but according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, he will now join Nick Nurse’s staff with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Wojnarowski reported that the move was made because Gates will receive “a significant step up in role,” and that the Mavericks allowed him to make the jump to Philadelphia.

Gates has been coaching at the NBA level since 2009, having spent time with the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Most recently, he was a member of Monty Williams’ coaching staff with the Phoenix Suns for the past two seasons.

In addition, Gates is a two-time NBA G League Coach of the Year. He won the award in 2007 and 2008 during his four-year tenure with the Idaho Stampede, now known as the Salt Lake City Stars - the Jazz’s G League squad.

Seeing a coach sign on with one team and leave for another less than a month later is certainly unusual, but considering the reported change in role, it makes sense that Gates would want to shift gears.

That being said, it’s a tough blow for the Mavericks, who are undoubtedly looking to strengthen their coaching staff around Kidd, especially with the losses they suffered earlier this summer.