The Dallas Mavericks have suffered a significant offseason blow as associate head coach Sean Sweeney has departed the organization to join the San Antonio Spurs in the same role.
Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News confirmed the move, reporting that while the Mavericks made an attempt to retain Sweeney, internal sources suggest the effort may not have been strong enough to convince him to stay.
Sweeney, who joined the Mavericks in 2021 alongside head coach Jason Kidd, had established himself as a vital voice in the locker room and a key architect of Dallas’ defensive schemes during multiple playoff runs.
Despite expressing interest in remaining with the franchise, Sweeney ultimately viewed the Spurs opportunity as a clearer path toward becoming an NBA head coach, according to Townsend’s report.
The move comes as San Antonio transitions into a new coaching era following Gregg Popovich’s retirement after 29 seasons. Mitch Johnson, recently promoted to head coach, adds Sweeney as his top assistant for the 2025–26 campaign.
The Spurs finished 13th in the Western Conference last season at 34–48 but remain focused on building around young talent and a restructured coaching staff. The addition of Sweeney is seen as part of a long-term developmental plan.
In contrast, the Mavericks are dealing with turbulence after a season widely criticized by fans and analysts. Following a controversial midseason trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, along with injuries to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, Dallas failed to make the playoffs.
The team’s front office, particularly general manager Nico Harrison, has faced mounting pressure, especially after fan backlash intensified post-trade deadline and further unrest grew throughout the franchise’s disappointing 2024–25 season.
Sweeney’s exit adds to the uncertainty surrounding Jason Kidd’s staff moving forward. Townsend noted that former Suns coach Frank Vogel is unlikely to take on a full-time role in Dallas despite speculation, as he remains under contract as a consultant and shows little motivation to return to the daily demands of assistant coaching.
Sweeney had also received interest from the New York Knicks in recent days, but ultimately prioritized the opportunity in San Antonio, where his responsibilities and upward trajectory align more directly with head coaching ambitions.
Given his reputation across the league and previous head coaching interviews, Sweeney is considered a strong candidate to eventually lead a franchise. If the Spurs find success in the coming seasons, his stay in San Antonio may be brief.
For Dallas, finding a capable replacement becomes critical as they prepare for the NBA Draft, where they hold the No. 1 overall pick following a surprising lottery win despite only a 1.8% chance.
As the Mavericks attempt to move forward from a historically chaotic year, the departure of Sweeney marks yet another turning point in a franchise searching for stability.
