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Willie Green Joins Dusty May's Staff as Camp Clocks Tick

A former head coach adds bench depth while three Mavericks chase the same return date.

$197.9MPayroll Total$2.5M below the tax line
2026-10-01Target ReturnAldama, Lively, Irving
2026-10-09Preseason Openervs Rockets
2026-10-21 at RocketsRegular Season Openerfirst game of the year
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Sunday, September 20

Hoops Rumors reported on September 16 that former Pelicans head coach Willie Green has joined Dusty May's coaching staff, the one confirmed move on a quiet week. Dallas remains 0-0 with no games played, while Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving each carry an estimated return date of October 1.

Mavericks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

A Staff Gets Deeper

Willie Green ran the Pelicans' bench before this move, and Hoops Rumors named him as Dusty May's newest addition on September 16. His specific duties have not been reported, but the hire fills out Dusty May's staff before camp opens.

Three Clocks, One Date

Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving are each working back from injury, and every one of them carries the same target return of October 1. That date lands after the preseason opener October 9 at home against Houston and before the October 21 opener at the Rockets, giving Dallas a real test of whether all three are ready in time.

The Number That Matters

Payroll stands at $197.9M, $2.5M below the $200.4M luxury tax line, with Kyrie Irving's $39.5M contract the largest figure on the roster ahead of P.J. Washington's $19.8M and Klay Thompson's $17.5M. The open question is whether Willie Green's arrival changes anything on the floor, since no role or responsibility has been attached to his name yet.

Has Dallas played any games yet this season?

No. The Mavericks are 0-0, with preseason opening October 9 against Houston and the regular season starting October 21 at the Rockets.

Who is Willie Green and what is his role with the Mavericks?

Willie Green is the former New Orleans Pelicans head coach who joined Dusty May's coaching staff, per a September 16 report; his specific title or duties have not been reported.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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