Mavericks missed out on Sean Sweeney, but this fan-favorite 68-year-old might be the next best thing

The Dallas Mavericks' head coaching search just got harder after Sean Sweeney, the San Antonio Spurs associate head coach, was hired by the Orlando Magic on May 29.

Sweeney previously spent four seasons as a Mavericks assistant, and the front office wanted him back to lead the team alongside Cooper Flagg. Since Orlando won Sweeney, new team president Masai Ujiri must restart the coaching search with the NBA Draft just days away.

Orlando completed the deal with Sweeney after seeing his overwhelming track record with the Spurs. In just one season as their associate head coach, he helped the team win 28 more games and improved their defensive ranking from 25th to third. That turnaround proved his capability as a head coach, and he is now heading to the Eastern Conference.

With Sean Sweeney gone, the Mavericks are moving quickly through their interview process. NBA reporter Marc Stein lists Micah Nori, Royal Ivey, Jama Mahlalela, Tony Dobbins and Terry Stotts as the current candidates.

Among the list, Stotts is a familiar face in Dallas. He was an assistant coach under Rick Carlisle during the Mavericks' 2011 championship season. He used that success to land the head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he stayed for nine years. There, Stotts built a 402-318 record, made the playoffs eight years in a row and became the second-winningest coach in that team's history.

But every rose has its thorn. Stotts hasn't been a head coach since 2021, and at 68, his age might force the Mavs to consider someone else. After Portland, he briefly joined the Milwaukee Bucks' staff before spending the last two seasons as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors.

However, given Mavs current situation, he seems the only option with a proven track record of building a steady playoff contender from the head coaching chair. Since he understands the Dallas organization, he would inherit a roster built around Flagg. While he might not be the flashy option, his stability makes him a highly capable backup plan.

More NBA news:

• Did Mitch Johnson favor De'Aaron Fox? 3× Super Bowl champion drops explosive theory amid Dylan Harper controversy
• De’Aaron Fox’s Spurs future revealed after NBA Finals disaster and it’s hardly a surprise
• Gilbert Arenas wants Jalen Brunson statue after the Knicks’ Spurs triumph — his reason says it all
• Shaquille O'Neal identifies what Victor Wembanyama needs to do after Spurs' Finals collapse
• Spurs finally find Victor Wembanyama's perfect championship partner