Southwest Notes: Boylan, Lopez, Clayton, Pippen, Spurs
A report in May indicated that veteran assistant coach Joe Boylan would be joining Taylor Jenkins‘ staff in Milwaukee, but he decided instead to join Dusty May‘s staff with the Mavericks, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via Twitter).
Boylan will be the head coach for the Mavs during summer league action, the team confirmed in a press release (Twitter link).
We have more from around the Southwest:
- The Grizzlies will be without Karim Lopez (mild left hamstring strain sustained during the pre-draft process) and Walter Clayton (mild right knee sprain) during the Salt Lake City summer league, according to a team spokesperson (Twitter link via Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal). Both players will be reevaluated before the main summer league in Las Vegas. Lopez was the 21st overall pick in last month’s draft, while Clayton was selected 18th overall in 2025.
- Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. had his full $2.46MM salary for 2026/27 guaranteed by remaining on Memphis’ roster through July 3, notes Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter). Pippen’s contract was previously partially guaranteed for $350K. The 25-year-old was limited to just 10 appearances last season due to a pair of toe surgeries (not on the same foot).
- Expect the Spurs to have a quiet offseason from here on out after drafting four players, re-signing Harrison Barnes, and adding veteran forward Tobias Harris in free agency, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Wright thinks Harris is likely to come off the bench behind Julian Champagnie, who’s returning to San Antonio on a three-year, $45MM deal.
Warriors Notes: Green, Lendeborg, Veteran Roster, May
Draymond Green turned down his $27.7MM player option for next season to give the Warriors more “optionality” on the free agent market, relays Kevin Topley of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green addressed his situation Tuesday in the latest edition of his podcast, explaining that there was more involved than financial considerations.
“For me personally, I’m always willing to work with the team on whatever is best, especially at this point in my career,” Green said. “As you all know, I’ve always taken the approach of working with the organization. I’ve been in one place for 14 years — it’s more like a family to me than anything.”
Green compared Golden State to his relationship with Michigan State, saying it feels like an “alma mater” to him and that he’s always “intrigued” by whatever he can do to help the team improve. Green’s decision makes it easier for the Warriors to pursue LeBron James with the $15MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but he didn’t offer any inside information during the podcast on how he expects that to work out.
“Free agency always brings different twists and turns,” Green added. “We’ll look around and figure out what’s best.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Age concerns played a large role in the pre-draft assessment of Yaxel Lendeborg, but he doesn’t view that as a big deal, per Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area. The Warriors’ pick at No. 11 will turn 24 in September, which is much older than a typical lottery selection. “In a way, it’s giving me extra motivation,” Lendeborg said. “You guys are acting like I’m really 45 years old. I’m 23 years old. Most players get into their prime around this age and get better still. This is going to be my first year in the NBA, this is going to be my first year having an actual offseason, summer training, all that stuff.”
- Coach Steve Kerr expressed concerns in May about having an aging roster with players who need to be rested on back-to-backs, but it looks like the Warriors will be in that position for at least another season, observes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Since then, the team has reached new deals with Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton and ramped up its pursuit of the 41-year-old James. Friedell’s suggestion for Kerr is to view his roster as two teams — one filled with young guys who can play regularly and the other made up of veterans whose minutes have to be managed.
- The Warriors might have pursued new Mavericks coach Dusty May if Kerr hadn’t re-signed, Brian Windhorst stated on The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link, hat tip to Austin Veazey of SI). Windhorst indicates that May was on the “short list” of several NBA teams.
Mavs Notes: Johnson, May, Green, Lively, De Larrea
The Mavericks provided one of the first surprises of the 2026 NBA draft when they bucked many fans’ expectations that they would draft a guard and instead took the defensive-minded big man Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick.
Johnson will now enter a crowded frontcourt, which will add another new member as a result of Wednesday’s trade agreement for combo forward-center Santi Aldama, but the Mavs aren’t concerned about any potential redundancies, thanks to the unique attributes the former Michigan standout brings to the floor, Christian Clark writes for The Athletic.
“You’re not supposed to move like he does at that size. He can step out and guard point guards. Sometimes 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s. His defensive upside is incredibly high,” assistant general manager Mike Schmitz said. “… We think he fits perfectly with what we are trying to do,” Schmitz said. “It’s not always about position. A lot of it is about mentality and what are you bringing from an intangibles standpoint and a competitiveness standpoint.”
Johnson spoke about his fit with Cooper Flagg, expressing his excitement and comparing how the two would fit together to the situation he just came from, Clark writes.
“I think it will be very similar to Michigan playing with [Yaxel Lendeborg],” Johnson said. “Switching everything. Forcing a lot of turnovers and getting deflections.”
We have more from the Mavericks:
- One man who helped influenced the decision to Johnson at No. 9 was the new head coach, Dusty May. May spoke of his excitement about bringing his experience and philosophy from Michigan to the Mavs. Like Johnson, he couldn’t help but get excited by the versatility of Flagg, according to Afseth. “Cooper plays all over the court,” May said. “We’re building a very unique roster.” May is also looking forward to taking advantage of Kyrie Irving‘s veteran experience. “Kyrie knows what it takes to win a championship, so as a first-time NBA coach, I’m going to lean on him in a lot of areas,” May said. “… He’s one of the greatest point guards to ever play our game. He’s a jazz musician, and I can’t wait to be around him every day and help him on his journey.”
- The Mavericks are expected to hire former Pelicans head coach Willie Green to be the top assistant on May’s staff, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link). An assistant in Golden State and Phoenix before being hired by New Orleans, Green also drew interest from the Warriors for a potential reunion, but he figures to end up in Dallas instead, Stein explains.
- A foot injury that eventually required surgery cut Dereck Lively II‘s 2025/26 season short after just seven games, after a stress fracture limited him to 36 games the previous season. Although he’s out of a walking boot, he’s exercising patience and wants to be sure his foot is 100% healed before he takes the floor again, Grant Afseth writes for Dallas Hoops Journal. “I’m taking even more time than I need to make sure I don’t ever have to deal with this foot again,” Lively said. “So whenever I can get past that and get over this hill, I know I’ll be 100 percent free.” Lively said that former Mavs big man Tyson Chandler has been in his corner and helping him stay focused on the right things during this lengthy rehab process.
- The Mavs traded the 30th pick along with two future second-rounders to move up to No. 25 to select Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea on draft night. While the team and the player are still trying to figure out whether he’ll come to Dallas or stay in Spain next season, he’s expected to join the Mavs at Summer League, according to Stein (via Twitter). The 6’6″ guard boasted a three-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio while shooting 40.7% from three this season in La Liga.
Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Morant, Pelicans, Mavericks, Randle, Jovic
The Pelicans aren’t interested in trading for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required).
New Orleans was mentioned over the weekend as a potential destination for Morant, but a source tells Stein and Fischer that Jeremiah Fears, whom New Orleans selected with the seventh pick in last year’s draft, is viewed as the team’s point guard of the future. With Dejounte Murray also on the roster, there’s little reason to take a chance on Morant, who has a large contract, questionable health and a troubled past.
The Pelicans are still getting “significant” trade interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, with league sources telling The Stein Line that the team is asking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for either player.
Stein and Fischer more inside information from around the league:
- After hiring Dusty May as their head coach, the Mavericks are considered more likely to hold onto their current pick at No. 9 rather than trading it for two lower choices in the first round, sources tell The Stein Line. May is expected to attend the draft to support his former Michigan players, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg, but Stein and Fischer state that it’s not clear if any of them are firmly on Dallas’ radar, especially if Nate Ament is still on the board.
- Julius Randle became the odd man out as the Timberwolves sacrificed an important component of their frontcourt to gain financial flexibility. Randle’s salary was sent to Brooklyn as part of a three-team deal that gave Minnesota a $33.3MM traded player exception. According to Stein and Fischer, the Wolves “absolutely” didn’t want to give up Naz Reid and were “skittish” about parting with Rudy Gobert, who serves as the interior anchor of the team’s defense. The Stein Line duo expects president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to continue to be active after re-signing Ayo Dosunmu on a five-year, $112MM deal.
- The Heat may explore moving Nikola Jovic to acquire another shooter to team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Stein and Fischer add. Jovic will make $16.2MM next season and is under contract through 2029/30.
Mavericks Hire Dusty May As Head Coach
JUNE 23: The Mavericks have announced May’s hiring in a press release, stating that an introductory press conference will be held at a later date.
“I am honored to join the Dallas Mavericks organization,” May said in a statement. “This is one of the most respected franchises in professional sports, with passionate fans, a talented roster, and a clear commitment to building a championship organization. I am grateful to (governor) Patrick Dumont, Masai Ujiri, and the Mavericks organization for this opportunity, and I look forward to helping bring another championship to the city of Dallas.”
JUNE 22: Dusty May will leave Michigan to become the Mavericks‘ next head coach, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania, Adam Schefter, and Pete Thamel (Twitter link).
May, 49, led the Wolverines to the NCAA championship in April and compiled a 64-13 record in his two years at the school. He was also successful in his six seasons at Florida Atlantic and is considered to be one of the top coaches in college basketball.
The new front office, led by president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz, also targeted Duke’s Jon Scheyer during its month-long coaching search. However, there was reportedly “pessimism” as recently as Friday that either of them would leave the college game for the NBA.
The chance to work with a young star in Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg helped lure May to Dallas, according to Thamel (Twitter link). The Mavericks hold the ninth and 30th picks in the first round of the draft, providing two more chances to add young talent in their rebuilding process. Aday Mara, Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg were all part of the national title team and could be possibilities for the Mavs now that May is their head coach.
May becomes the first college head coach to go directly to the NBA since 2019 when Michigan’s John Beilein took over in Cleveland, Charania, Thamel and Schefter state in a full story. No coach has taken an NBA job immediately after winning a national title since Larry Brown in 1988.
The authors note that May’s move creates chaos at Michigan, which was expected to be a strong position to repeat as national champs. Wolverines players will have a 15-day transfer window to consider other schools that will open five days after a new coach is hired or announced.
In addition to May and Scheyer, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela and veteran NBA coach Terry Stotts were viewed as candidates for the Mavericks job.
Former head coach Jason Kidd parted ways with the organization in May after a 26-56 season.
Portland is now the only NBA team with a head coaching vacancy.
Latest On Mavericks’ Head Coaching Search
It has been one month since the Mavericks parted ways with former head coach Jason Kidd. With the draft set to get underway in just four days, Dallas has yet to name Kidd’s successor.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), league sources say one reason why the Mavericks’ search is still ongoing is that the team wanted to give Duke head coach Jon Scheyer “every conceivable opportunity” to consider making the move to the NBA.
Scheyer recruited Cooper Flagg and coached the star forward during his first and only college season with the Blue Devils in 2024/25 before he was drafted first overall by the Mavs last June. Given Scheyer’s strong relationship with Flagg, it’s no surprise that multiple reports in recent weeks have connected Duke’s coach to Dallas’ open position.
However, Stein says there has been “persistent pessimism” about the the likelihood of the Mavs being able to lure Scheyer away from the Blue Devils. The same is true of Michigan’s Dusty May, Stein adds, with both college coaches seemingly set on remaining in their current roles for the 2026/27 season.
Stein referred to Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori earlier this week (via Twitter) as a “top” candidate for both the Mavericks and Trail Blazers, the two teams who are currently without a head coach. Stein has also repeatedly named Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, and veteran NBA coach Terry Stotts as other candidates Dallas is still considering.
Celtics assistant Tony Dobbins and Heat consultant Noah LaRoche were also previously identified as options under consideration, but Stein hasn’t mentioned either of them in his recent reports about the Mavs’ vacancy.
Latest On Mavericks’ Head Coaching Search
We haven’t heard much about the Mavericks‘ head coaching search in the two-plus weeks since the team parted ways with Jason Kidd, but league sources tell Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) that Dallas has begun seeking permission to speak to candidates for the job.
The expectation, according to Fischer and Stein, is that the Mavs will interview a dozen or so candidates before making a decision.
Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, Celtics assistant Tony Dobbins, and Heat consultant Noah LaRoche are among the coaches the Mavericks have either already registered interest in or plan to reach out to soon, sources tell The Stein Line.
Veteran coach Terry Stotts, who isn’t remaining in his position on Steve Kerr‘s staff in Golden State, is also expected to interview for the position, Fischer and Stein add, noting that Stotts – who has previous head coaching experience with Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Portland – currently only has interest in head coaching jobs.
Former Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney was among the potential targets on Dallas’ radar, but he was already far down the road on a deal with the Magic by the time the Mavs reached out and has since been officially hired by Orlando, per The Stein Line.
While the most likely outcome is that the Mavericks hire a coach from the NBA ranks, there have been some exploratory conversations to see whether college coaches like Duke’s Jon Scheyer, who previously coached Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, or Michigan’s Dusty May would have any interest in the Dallas job, Fischer and Stein report. For what it’s worth, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints previously reported that Scheyer is “fully locked in” with the Blue Devils and isn’t interested in leaving Duke at this time, so he’s unlikely to emerge as a legitimate candidate for the Mavs.
According to Fischer and Stein, there’s an expectation that new Mavs president Masai Ujiri, who hired Darko Rajakovic in Toronto, will keep an eye on European options and perhaps explore potential options in the women’s game as well.
Ujiri, who was hired by the Mavs earlier this spring, said in May that he expects the coaching search to be “very comprehesive” and to turn over “every stone.”
“I think our minds are very open,” Ujiri said at the time. “We’re going to look everywhere. …We will really try to look at what’s best for this organization, be it first-time, be it experienced, be it college, be it European. Everywhere. Whatever is best for this organization going forward is what we are going to look at.”
Stein’s Latest: Mosley, Nuggets, Bulls, Mavs, Kerr
The job security of Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has been one of the bigger points of speculation around the league for some time, and it remains widely expected that he will take the blame for Orlando’s first-round exit, writes Marc Stein in a recent edition of The Stein Line (subscriber link).
As far who would take over should Mosley be let go, Stein notes that there have been rumors since before he left the Bulls about Billy Donovan taking the job, which he was first offered in 2007. Another name of interest for Orlando is Michigan head coach Dusty May, though Stein notes that the expectation is May will remain with Michigan after winning the national championship this year.
As for Mosley, Stein cites a previous report from Jake Fischer about the Pelicans‘ ongoing interest in bringing the Magic head coach into the fold if he becomes a free agent.
We have more league-wide news from Stein:
- The Nuggets will have to look in the mirror and figure out what comes next after losing in Round 1. Stein confirms reports that head coach David Adelman‘s job is expected to be safe, but adds that Denver is rumored to be open to any trade possibilities that would improve the athleticism and defense around star Nikola Jokic.
- The Bulls are close to reaching their decision regarding their head of basketball operations search, and while many people believe the Timberwolves’ Matt Lloyd is the frontrunner, Dennis Lindsey, Bryson Graham, and Dave Lewin remain in the running for the position.
- As the Mavericks look to find their long-term head of operations, owner Patrick Dumont is hoping to hire the splashiest name possible in an attempt to put Nico Harrison‘s tenure firmly in the rear view mirror, Stein reports. It appears unlikely that the Mavs will get to interview their top choice, the Wolves’ Tim Connelly, or their second choice, Bob Myers. Still, Stein muses about how unavailable Connelly truly is and whether his future contract extension talks will come into play. Former owner Mark Cuban has endorsed Detroit’s Lindsey in the past, but the team has yet to seek permission to interview him. Finally, Stein notes that the Mavs could choose one of their co-interim GMs, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley, for the position. Dumont has stated previously that he intends to fill the position by mid-May.
- A decision is imminent for Steve Kerr and his future with the Warriors. Stein reports that ESPN has been recruiting Golden State’s coach to return to his role as a broadcaster, but the team is expected to meet with him as soon as Monday and has been operating as if he’s likely to return.
Former Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Headed To UNC
Former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is the surprising choice as North Carolina’s new head coach, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports.
North Carolina had been looking for a high-profile coach to take over the program after firing Hubert Davis. Final Four coaches Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May were reportedly high on the wish list but both opted to stay put at their respective universities. Bulls coach Billy Donovan was also a prominent target, according to The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, so the hiring of Malone came seemingly out of nowhere.
Malone, 54, is the all-time winningest coach in Denver history with a 471-327 career record and led the Nuggets to their only NBA championship in 2023. He has since spent time as an analyst and commentator for ESPN. Malone certainly would have been high on the list of many NBA teams looking for new coaches this offseason and beyond. Instead, he chose to take over an elite college program.
In his Sunday column, Marc Stein reported that the Bulls would like to retain Donovan, who received a multiyear extension after the Knicks were denied permission to talk to him about their head coaching vacancy last summer. Donovan reportedly wanted to wait until after the season concluded on Sunday to potentially meet with the Tar Heels, but North Carolina decided to pivot to Malone.
With the UNC off the table, Donovan could be more inclined to remain in his current job.