Dusty May recently guided the Michigan Wolverines to a remarkable national championship in men’s college basketball. On Monday afternoon, he decided to leap into the NBA, marking a significant shift in his career.
The decision caught many in both the college and professional basketball worlds off guard. The Dallas Mavericks brought May in, offering him the chance to coach rising star Cooper Flagg early on. They also hold the No. 9 and No. 30 picks in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, with three Wolverines—Jaxel Lendeborg, Adei Mara, and Morez Johnson—expected to be selected in the lottery.
At 49, May was thought to be on a path toward becoming one of college basketball’s elite coaches for many years. This bold move comes from the Mavericks’ new leadership team: Masai Ujiri, who crafted the Toronto Raptors’ championship-winning squad in 2019 and recently took the helm as Dallas’ president, and Mike Schmitz, previously with the Portland Trail Blazers, now serving as general manager, known for his insightful draft evaluations.
May expertly assembled a strong Michigan team through the transfer portal, emphasizing teamwork and usually focusing on defensive play. This season, Michigan boasted the top defense and the fourth-best offense in the country. Moving to the NBA, it’ll be intriguing to see if he adopts the league’s larger lineups.
An exciting aspect of this role for May is the chance to coach Flagg, who recently won NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Flagg is viewed as one of the best young talents in the league, alongside Victor Wembanyama, and he won’t even turn 20 until December. The Mavericks are centering their team around Flagg, and May will play a pivotal role in his development.
May is known for his calm demeanor, which resonates well with players. He certainly deserves recognition as a development coach, having transformed Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara into lottery picks last season, even when they weren’t projected to be in that position initially. I think he has the right mindset for the NBA, though it can be challenging in the Western Conference, even with someone like Flagg on your team.
The journey of college coaches transitioning to the NBA is varied. Larry Brown, for example, won a national championship with Kansas in 1988 and later an NBA title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Brad Stevens led Butler to a college championship game and went on to have a successful career with the Boston Celtics. Conversely, there are others like John Calipari and Rick Pitino, who made the jump but struggled in the NBA.
Having followed Michigan State through their progression in the Big Ten Tournament and beyond, I was quite impressed with May’s leadership and strategic skills. He recognized that replicating the success of the 2026 team would be unlikely. Navigating roster changes through the transfer portal and managing NIL deals each year can be quite demanding, which makes the allure of the NBA appealing for someone like him.
Ultimately, coaching Cooper Flagg, who has already shown considerable talent at such a young age, presents a unique opportunity. The Mavericks are also considering other candidates, including former NBA coaches like John Scheyer and Terry Stotts, but May may stand out due to his background and youth. The Mavericks made a bold choice with this hiring, and it feels like an out-of-the-box home run.
However, NBA success isn’t guaranteed for May. Adjusting from college to the professional level will be a challenge. Thankfully, the Mavericks aren’t in a rush to win immediately. They are aligned with Flagg’s growth timeline, and I believe May has the savvy and temperament to succeed in this role long-term. It seems like a smart move for the Mavericks.
