The Dallas Mavericks are expanding their head coaching search with early exploratory contact made toward two prominent college basketball leaders, Duke’s Jon Scheyer and Michigan’s Dusty May, according to NBA insiders.
Reporting from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer on The Stein Line indicates that Dallas has held preliminary conversations to assess whether either coach would consider a move to the NBA. Both are described as deeply tied to their current programs, which makes their candidacy uncertain at this stage.
League sources told The Stein Line that the Mavericks are “exploratory” in their approach rather than formalizing interviews. The process remains open-ended as the franchise evaluates multiple coaching profiles following the dismissal of Jason Kidd.
Scheyer enters the discussion as one of the most decorated young coaches in college basketball. Since taking over at Duke in 2022, he has guided the program through sustained ACC success, including multiple conference titles and a Final Four appearance in 2025. He was also named NABC Coach of the Year and ACC Coach of the Year in 2026.
His connection to elite talent development is a key factor in his profile. Scheyer coached Cooper Flagg during the forward’s freshman season in 2024–25, adding a layer of familiarity with one of Dallas’ central long-term pieces. His coaching résumé also includes championship experience as both a player and assistant at Duke.
May presents a different trajectory, built on program-building success across multiple stops. After leading Florida Atlantic to a historic Final Four run, he transitioned to Michigan in 2024 and quickly elevated the program to national contention, highlighted by a 2026 NCAA championship and Big Ten regular-season dominance.
May’s record reflects sustained efficiency in different environments, with a reputation for system-driven basketball and roster development. His coaching background includes assistant roles at multiple Division I programs before establishing himself as a head coach at FAU and later Michigan.
Dallas’ search comes after a broader organizational reset under new team president Masai Ujiri. The franchise has emphasized structural clarity and long-term direction following consecutive seasons outside championship contention.
The Mavericks’ roster outlook adds complexity to the decision. The organization is attempting to define its identity around Flagg while also navigating the uncertain future of Kyrie Irving and a reshaped supporting cast.
