Nets Part Ways with Assistant Coach Igor Kokoskov; Possible Mavs Reunion?

The Dallas Mavericks' offseason started a lot earlier than planned as they missed the postseason despite acquiring Kyrie Irving prior to the trade deadline. With a disappointing season comes changes to the coaching staff and roster, which the Mavs have already gotten a head start on. 

Last week, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that assistant coach Greg St. Jean will not return to Jason Kidd's staff for the 2023-24 season as Dallas hopes to 'add more experience' in his place on the bench. NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that two veteran candidates for the vacancy could be former head coaches James Borrego and Jeff Hornacek.

But, what if Dallas brought in a familiar face to replace St. Jean?

On Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Brooklyn Nets parted ways with three assistant coaches, including former Mavs assistant Igor Kokoskov after just one season with the team. Kokoskov spent the previous season as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 2021-22.

From an experience factor, Kokoskov has only one season of head coaching experience at the NBA level during the 2018-19 season with the Phoenix Suns, but he holds over 20 years as an assistant coach under his belt. His familiarity with the Mavericks from 2021-22 and his relationship with Luka Doncic from their days with the Slovenian National team means bringing back Kokoskov make sense.

Kokoskov made the decision to leave Kidd's staff to join then-Brooklyn coach Steve Nash's staff with the Nets, so there’s a chance he doesn’t desire a return to Dallas, but with an open seat on Kidd's bench, the question must be asked.