Dusty May Steals a Coach From Milwaukee. That Says Something About the Mavericks’ Pitch.

Dusty May hasn’t coached an NBA game yet. But he’s already winning some off-court battles. The latest: Joe Boylan, a veteran assistant with stops at five different NBA teams, is headed to Dallas instead of Milwaukee. That’s a small surprise, considering Boylan was expected to reunite with Taylor Jenkins on the Bucks’ new staff. Marc Stein reported the news, and it’s another sign that May is selling people on something real in Dallas.

Boylan brings a lot of mileage. He’s been around the league long enough to know what works and what doesn’t, and he’s worked with bigs and perimeter guys alike. For a first-time head coach like May, that kind of steady hand on the bench is valuable. Especially when you’re still building trust with a roster that just traded for one of your guys from Memphis.

May is stockpiling experience

It’s not just Boylan. A few days ago, May added Willie Green, who’s been an assistant in New Orleans and Phoenix. So now you’ve got two guys who have seen playoff basketball from the sideline, and they’re both choosing to come to a team that’s still figuring out its identity. That’s not nothing.

May himself is a college coach making the jump. He had success at FAU, got to a Final Four, and now he’s trying to prove he can do it at the next level. Surrounding himself with NBA lifers is a smart move. It covers his blind spots and gives the players someone they can trust who’s been in those huddles before.

The roster is still getting worked on

Dallas recently traded for Santi Aldama, a stretch big from Memphis who can also playmake a little. He’s not a star, but he fits a need: floor spacing and some passing from the forward spot. The front office might not be done. They were linked to Anfernee Simons, but he ended up with the Sixers. There are still free agents out there, and trades are always possible.

Kyrie Irving is coming back healthy, so the backcourt isn’t desperate for help. But they could use another ball handler or a wing who can create his own shot. The real focus, though, is building around Cooper Flagg. That’s the long-term plan, and everything they do this summer should be viewed through that lens.

One thing is for sure: May is making moves off the court before he ever runs a play on it. That counts for something.