The Dallas Mavericks have another top position to fill this offseason.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told owner Mark Cuban that he will not be returning next season.
“After a number of in-person conversations with [owner] Mark Cuban over the last week, today I informed him that I will not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This was solely my decision.” Carlisle said in a statement.
The resignation came a day after longtime general manager Donnie Nelson was fired.
Carlisle, who had two years remaining on his contract, had been the Mavericks’ head coach since 2008, leading the team to an NBA title in 2011. He leaves Dallas as the winningest coach in franchise history with a 555-478 record.
“My family and I have had an amazing 13-year experience working with great people in a great city. It has been an honor to work alongside Mark, Cynt [Mavs exec Cynt Marshall], Donnie, Fin [VP of basketball operations Michael Finley], [assistant GM] Keith [Grant], Dirk [Nowitzki], JKidd [Jason Kidd] and every player and assistant coach I’ve ever had here,” Carlisle added. “Dallas will always be home, but I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career.”
Carlisle will certainly have another opportunity to take over a team. One team to keep an eye on is the Boston Celtics. As a player, Carlisle won a championship for Boston in 1986. The Indiana Pacers, Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards also have head-coach openings.
“Rick informed me today about his decision to step down as head coach,” Mavs owner Mark Cuban said. “On top of being a tremendous basketball coach, he was also a friend and confidant. Rick helped us bring the O’Brien Trophy to Dallas and those are memories I will always cherish. I want to thank Rick for all that he gave this franchise and this city. We wish him the best.”
Carlisle is the seventh NBA coach to leave their position this season. This follows coaching changes with the Magic, Celtics, Pacers, Blazers, Pelicans and Wizards. Both Washington and New Orleans announced changes at the helm on Wednesday.
The firing on Wednesday of Nelson after 24 years as GM angered an already disgruntled Luka Doncic.
“It was kind of tough to me,” the star guard said of Nelson’s firing. “I really like Donnie. I know him since I was a kid and he was the one that drafted me [in 2018]. It was tough for me seeing that, but I’m not the one making decisions there.”