The Dallas Mavericks just can’t stop making headlines.
A couple of days after a report by The Athletic exposed tension inside the Dallas Mavericks organization, and one day after the departure of long-time general manager Donnie Nelson, head coach Rick Carlisle has decided to leave the team, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rick Carlisle — who led Dallas to the 2011 NBA championship — informed Mavericks owner Mark Cuban today that he won't be returning as coach next season, Carlisle told ESPN. Carlisle had two years left on his contract. He spent 13 seasons as Mavericks coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 17, 2021
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Rick Carlisle has stepped down as head coach. pic.twitter.com/vaRYbRuyDs
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) June 17, 2021
Carlisle has become known as one of the top coaches in the NBA during his decade-plus in Dallas, and he currently serves as the president of the NBA Coaches Association. The head coach led the Mavericks to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2011.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, there has been looming tension between superstar Luka Doncic and Carlisle. Combine that with the recent events and upcoming changes inside the Mavericks organization, and the fact Carlisle believed it was time for a change may not be all that surprsing.
There had been simmering tension between Luka Doncic and Rick Carlisle that was a concern within the Mavs organization. The expectation was that he'd return next season, but he'd have been on the hot seat. https://t.co/YRJ1fwQ6GQ
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 17, 2021
The Mavericks will now join the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans as teams with a head coach opening. Carlisle is likely to rise to the top of the available candidates list, and he sure does have a large pile of teams with superstars to choose from. Not to mention, Wojnarowski hinted that these seven teams may not be the only ones looking for a head coach this offseason.
Rick Carlisle suddenly becomes a prominent candidate in a head coaching marketplace that includes six current openings — and maybe more to come. https://t.co/sYJTHVchte
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 17, 2021
We will now have to wait and see what kind of impact all this change will have on Luka Doncic, who is able to sign a $200M dollar extension this offseason. Also, with so many changes coming internally, there could be quite a few coming to the roster as well, and that might be something for the Bulls to keep an eye on.
For more on that …
Could the Bulls Take Advantage of the Reported Drama in Dallas?https://t.co/y9s2l6xEdL
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) June 14, 2021