Who will be Dallas Mavericks' next head coach? Three names to watch.

In an unexpected move — considering the fact he just got extended by ownership last summer and was still owed $40 million — Jason Kidd is out as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks . Who takes his place? Who is the next head coach in Dallas?

Kidd's exit — as well as that of other members of the scouting, analytics and front office staff in a house-cleaning — was orchestrated by new team president Masai Ujiri. He has established that this is going to be his franchise, run his way, with his people. And we have seen Ujiri hire two coaches before, both in Toronto: Nick Nurse (2018) and Darko Rajaković (2023).

Neither was a head coach before, although both had some experience as head coaches in the G League or internationally, and both were seen as rising stars. As ESPN's Tim MacMahon put it on The Hoop Collective Podcast , Ujiri is looking for the "next great coach," not a retread. So who are the names to watch?

Sean Sweeney Sweeney is still busy as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs, but he's also a name mentioned by ESPN's MacMahon and Marc Stein of the Stein Line. Sweeney is seen as one of the top assistant coaches in the league and at or near the front of the "he should get a chance" line. He also has ties to the Dallas Mavericks, having been on Kidd's staff between 2021 and 2025.