Dallas Basketball

Dallas Mavericks lose coaching staff member to San Antonio Spurs

Dallas' conference rival poached a very important piece of Jason Kidd's staff.
Keenan Womack|
Apr 16, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts to a call during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts to a call during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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Dallas MavericksSan Antonio Spurs

Since the days of Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, the Mavericks and Spurs have always had a fierce rivalry, with San Antonio leading the all-time series 136-103. They have met in the playoffs and battled in the regular season for decades, amplifying tensions when the stakes were higher. Two franchises defined by different styles over the last 25+ years, San Antonio has won five championships to the Mavericks' one.

No matter what time of the season it is, this feud is one of the fiercest in Texas sports, despite its lopsided nature. Today, a new chapter of the I-35 Rivalry has been written – this time, off the court.

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According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney has agreed on a deal to become the associate head coach of the Spurs under Mitch Johnson. An in-demand commodity in the basketball field, Sweeney had taken interviews for elevated positions elsewhere, but landed just down the road for the Mavericks' bitter rivals.

Beyond the jump in position for Sweeney, who moves from assistant to associate HC, the move makes sense for on-court reasons. Each franchise is moving in drastically different directions; Dallas is backsliding after suffering a miserable 2024-25 campaign marred by self-inflicted wounds and devastating injuries, while the Spurs are beginning to find their footing behind the elite two-way capabilities of Victor Wembanyama.

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Had there been stability within the Mavericks organization and front office, this may have been more avoidable, but with the level of ineptitude displayed by Nico Harrison and Patrick Dumont, it is not difficult to understand why Sweeney took the job beyond its title. Dealing away Luka Doncic and Quentin Grimes, on top of firing Casey Smith and installing an unqualified medical staff, the problems for the Mavericks continued to accumulate throughout the 2024-25 season.

Sweeney's departure marks a major change to the Mavericks organization, as he was a key piece of Kidd's staff on multiple fronts. The fact that he moved to a bitter foe only adds insult to injury, but also illustrates just how well-respected Sweeney is in coaching circles around the NBA. The Mavericks will have to find a replacement elsewhere or promote from within to fill the void left behind.

READ MORE: Mavericks predicted to trade $40 million NBA Finals starter

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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