The Dallas Mavericks are entering a new era after hiring Masai Ujiri as president and Dusty May as head coach. The organization decided to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd and hire May, who is coming off an NCAA championship at the University of Michigan.
May is ready for the new challenge ahead, and he couldn’t hide his excitement while discussing his first impression of nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving.
Mavs Head Coach Dusty Has High Praise for Kyrie Irving
While speaking to the media at the NBA Summer League, May revealed that Irving is getting closer to full strength.
“I spoke with Kyrie and actually witnessed a workout this morning, and I felt like I left the gym watching Picasso paint a picture.”
Dusty May:
“I spoke with Kyrie and actually witnessed a workout this morning and I felt like I left the gym watching Picasso paint a picture” https://t.co/G3TFT8xV9O pic.twitter.com/RkbVIGF1q7
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 9, 2026
May’s enthusiasm while describing Irving will excite many Mavericks fans who have been patiently waiting for the star guard to return to action. Irving missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season after tearing his left ACL in March 2025.
Irving initially arrived in Dallas hoping to compete for championships alongside Luka Dončić. However, the plan changed abruptly when the organization shockingly traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving was then expected to form a one-two punch with Anthony Davis, but he got hurt and then traded to the Washington Wizards as the Mavs sunk to the bottom of the Western Conference.
Now, Irving returns to action to form a dynamic duo with the new face of the franchise, Cooper Flagg. Irving is considered one of the NBA’s elite ball-handlers and playmakers when healthy, and judging by May’s scouting report, he’s looking like himself.
Flagg had a strong finish to his rookie season and is projected to make a leap in his second NBA season. If he continues to realize his full potential and Irving returns to form, the Mavs could be a dark horse in the back half of the Western Conference playoff race.
The rest of the roster around Flagg and Irving remains uncertain, with May and the Mavericks organization potentially facing tough decisions about veterans like Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington, who could serve as role players or trade chips depending on Ujiri’s long-term plans.
Naji Marshall is coming off a career year in which he averaged 15.2 points per game. Also, the Mavericks selected high-energy forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and his game appears to be a perfect fit next to Flagg and Irving.
The Mavericks also acquired talented big man Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies at the start of free agency. Dallas also has center Dereck Lively II, who was considered a potential cornerstone before needing right foot surgery last season.
May will have some decisions to make regarding his rotation and playing time, but he’ll have Flagg and Irving to lead the way.
