For the Dallas Mavericks, there seemed to be a need to shake things up.
Yes, the Mavs have Cooper Flagg and while he remains among the most promising sophomores entering this coming season, maximizing his talent this early remains a must.
Jason Kidd led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, but the Mavs organization still felt change was needed. Perhaps it was the residue from the Luka Doncic saga, which still haunts Mavs fans to this day (even if they may not admit it openly anymore). With Nico Harrison and even Anthony Davis gone, Kidd was the last reminder of that chapter in Dallas.
Mavs President Masai Ujiri wanted a fresh start as he begins his tenure and in signing Dusty May, he is going all in.
May was one of the faces of the current era of college basketball coaching, where principles rather than strict set plays have become the norm. While he leans on analytics that put a premium on high percentage shots, the 49-year old empowers his players to make decisions on the court based on how they read what the defense gives. The results speak for themselves, as he has made two trips to the Final Four and led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship last season.
Dallas must have kept tabs on May’s title run earlier this year and Flagg’s versatility will fit in well with a system that rewards dynamic players. However, Flagg may not have been the only factor that convinced May to make the jump to the pros as the Mavs’ draft plans since hiring May have centered on his needs. Dallas selected May’s former player in Morez Johnson Jr., who will add frontcourt depth to a group that tends to be ravaged by injuries.
The way the Mavs considered May’s former player in the first round may not be an uncommon practice for some NBA organizations, but for Dallas to have this level of trust for someone without NBA coaching experience means they are giving May all the opportunities to succeed this early, even if he reportedly signed a five-year contract. The expectations won’t be sky high, but they definitely won’t be low given May’s body of work and the talent he has at his disposal.
Nonetheless, May’s arrival is a great sign for the Dallas Mavericks. They’ve had their fair share of success over the years, but recent moves have left them and their fans feeling heartbroken, disappointed, and frustrated among other things.
Recent moves such as the drafting of Cooper Flagg and Dusty May have given them a new hope. And with a potential empire in the cards, Mavs fans are hoping their beloved team can strike back sooner rather than later.
