Mavericks Secure May
Dallas Mavericks Near Deal to Hire National Champion Coach Dusty May, Replacing Jason Kidd
Key Points
Michigan's title run concluded with a 69-63 victory over UConn, finishing 34-3 for the season, and the Wolverines opened the NCAA Tournament by scoring at least 90 points in five consecutive games — the first time any team did that in the tourney's history.
The hire follows Jason Kidd's dismissal, with Masai Ujiri named president of basketball operations and alternate governor; reports indicate Ujiri helped lure May to Dallas.
Morez Johnson Jr., another Michigan player who developed under May, announced he will enter the 2026 NBA Draft as Michigan transitions to a post-May era.
May publicly indicated after winning the title that he was seeking a new challenge and didn’t feel fulfilled by the championship run, with remarks suggesting the journey felt more meaningful than the destination.
The Mavericks have planned to install May as head coach in Dallas, making him the franchise's 11th coach in its history.
The Dallas Mavericks are finalizing a deal to hire Dusty May as their next head coach, making the reigning national champion the franchise's 11th coach in team history, ESPN and The Athletic reported on June 22. May just led Michigan to a 69-63 victory over UConn in the 2026 NCAA title game, finishing 34-3 and capping a two-season run of 64-13 at the school.
The move comes less than two months after new Mavericks president Masai Ujiri was hired away from the Toronto Raptors. May reportedly turned down a large extension from Michigan, telling ESPN after the title, "The climb was the destination. I'm not sure the view from the top is what I expected."
How Masai Ujiri Landed a College Champion
The chain of events started May 12, when the Mavericks fired Jason Kidd after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. Three days later, they hired Ujiri as president of basketball operations, a stunning move that signaled a full franchise rebuild, The Athletic reported. By June 15, Ujiri was spotted in Ann Arbor, fueling rumors of a run at May.
ESPN's Pete Thamel and Shams Charania co-broke the news on the morning of June 22 that a deal was in its final stages. Adam Schefter confirmed the hire and noted it is expected to be a five-year contract. Ujiri's track record of bold hires — including Nick Nurse in Toronto — gave Dallas fans confidence in the unconventional pick.
May's Michigan Record Made Him an Irresistible Target
May posted a 64-13 record over two seasons at Michigan and previously guided Florida Atlantic to a Final Four. The 2025-26 Wolverines were historically dominant in March. They scored at least 90 points in five straight NCAA Tournament games — the first team ever to do that, according to the Associated Press.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton called May's Michigan offense "mathematically elite," saying it prioritized only high-value shots. May's system used five-out spacing — meaning all five players spread to the three-point line — which analysts say fits perfectly around Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025.
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving Are the Foundation
The hire is widely read as a move built around Flagg. At 19, Flagg is already the cornerstone of the Mavericks' rebuild. May's spacing-heavy system, which broke defenses at the college level, is seen as a natural fit for Flagg's ability to play as a point-forward — a player who handles the ball like a guard but attacks the rim like a big man.
Veteran guard Kyrie Irving is also part of the picture. Reports from Marc Stein indicate Irving was "consulted and enthusiastic" about May's offensive approach. One anonymous Western Conference scout, speaking to HoopsHype, raised a flag: "In a tournament, you can blitz teams with 90 points. In the NBA, veterans will figure out those lanes by December. It's a different beast."
Michigan Faces a Roster Exodus After May's Departure
May's exit leaves Michigan in a volatile spot. Center Morez Johnson Jr., one of his key recruits, announced on June 22 that he is entering the 2026 NBA Draft. Johnson said on social media, "Coach May changed the way I see the game. I'm ready for the next level because of him." Michigan must now find a new coach while the transfer portal remains open.
Analysts warn the Wolverines could face a "roster exodus" as players recruited by May look for new programs, NBC DFW noted. Dan Wolken of USA Today suggested May's departure reflects a broader burnout with the pressure of the NIL and transfer portal era in college sports — noting that May himself hinted he did not feel fully fulfilled after winning it all.
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