New Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May has begun assembling his first NBA coaching staff, and the early list of candidates features several experienced league veterans.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green has emerged as a target for Dallas as May fills out his bench. Stein reported Saturday that Green, who is also being pursued by the Golden State Warriors to return to Steve Kerr’s staff, has drawn interest from the Mavericks.
Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin and Miami Heat consultant Noah LaRoche have also been mentioned as expected additions to May’s coaching staff.
LaRoche’s connection to May extends beyond the hiring process. Stein previously reported that the Heat consultant participated in the month-long interview process that ultimately resulted in May being selected as Dallas’ next head coach, suggesting an existing level of trust between the two.
The Mavericks surprised much of the NBA by hiring May after he led Michigan to the 2026 NCAA national championship. The move marked the first major basketball decision by new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who opted for one of college basketball’s fastest-rising coaches instead of a veteran NBA assistant.
May’s résumé includes transforming Florida Atlantic into a Final Four team in 2023 before rebuilding Michigan into a national champion in just two seasons. His reputation for player development, offensive creativity and program building convinced Dallas to make the jump despite his lack of NBA head coaching experience.
Adding experienced assistants would help balance that transition. Green spent four seasons as the Pelicans’ head coach and previously won an NBA championship as an assistant with the Warriors. Griffin also brings head coaching experience after leading the Bucks during the 2023-24 season, while LaRoche has earned recognition around the league for his work in player development and offensive strategy with Miami.
Dallas enters the 2026-27 season looking to rebound from a disappointing 26-56 campaign that left the franchise tied with New Orleans for the Western Conference’s fourth-worst record and 12th in the Western Conference. Despite the struggles, the organization believes it has a franchise cornerstone in reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games during his first NBA season.
The Mavericks also continued reshaping their roster during the 2026 NBA Draft. Dallas selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick before acquiring Valencia guard Sergio de Larrea at No. 25 and Arizona forward Koa Peat at No. 30. The Mavericks later added Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal and Russian guard Vsevolod Ishchenko in the second round.
