The NBA coaching carousel is spinning, and Duke's Jon Scheyer is reportedly being courted by multiple teams. According to league sources, the 38-year-old head coach of the Blue Devils is expected to draw serious interest this offseason, with the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic among the franchises potentially making a run at him.
Scheyer, who took over for the legendary Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has led Duke to three consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a trip to the Elite Eight this past season. His success at one of college basketball's most prestigious programs has made him a hot commodity in the professional ranks.
The Mavericks, in particular, are an intriguing fit. Dallas recently hired Masai Ujiri to run basketball operations and parted ways with Jason Kidd on Tuesday. The Mavs also have Scheyer's former star player, Cooper Flagg, who played for him at Duke before entering the NBA. That connection could make Dallas a natural landing spot.
"Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney is expected to draw serious interest from the Mavericks after they parted ways with Jason Kidd," Brett Siegel reported. "Dallas is also expected to reach out to Duke HC Jon Scheyer, but he is committed to his current position, sources said."
The Mavericks aren't the only team with a vacancy. The Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Pelicans are also searching for new head coaches. With so many openings, Scheyer's name is likely to surface in multiple conversations.
Scheyer's potential move to the NBA would follow a trend of top college coaches making the leap. Recent examples include Matt Campbell nearly leaving Iowa State for the NFL, a reminder that the professional ranks often lure successful college leaders. While Scheyer has publicly stated his commitment to Duke, the allure of coaching in the NBA—especially with a young star like Flagg—could be hard to ignore.
For now, Scheyer remains at Duke, but the interest is real. As the NBA playoffs continue—with the Spurs leading the Thunder 1-0 in the West and the Knicks topping the Cavs in the East—front offices are already planning their next moves. Scheyer's name will be at the center of several of those discussions.
It's a story that echoes the recent Dawn Staley controversy involving a WNBA reporter, where off-court drama overshadowed the game. But for Scheyer, the drama is about opportunity. Could he be the next college coach to take the NBA plunge? The offseason will tell.
