The Dallas Mavericks announced the addition of former New Orleans Pelicans swingman Garrett Temple as an assistant coach, pairing him with former Pelicans head coach Willie Green on Dusty May’s inaugural staff. Both arrive in Dallas after concluding their tenures in New Orleans; Green was dismissed by the Pelicans last month, and Temple will retire as a player and move directly into coaching.

Temple spent two seasons in New Orleans, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. A Baton Rouge native, he grew up watching his father, Collis Temple, become the first African-American player for the LSU Tigers. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Temple spent the final five seasons of his playing career in roles with the Pelicans and the Toronto Raptors, providing veteran leadership off the bench.

Temple’s defensive versatility and reputation for a high basketball IQ will translate to a developmental role for Dallas’ young wing players. His ability to guard multiple positions and understand off-ball movement positions him to work closely with the player-development staff on defensive drills and film sessions.

Green brings a head-coaching résumé that includes two seasons guiding the Pelicans before his dismissal. His experience running a full offense gives May a tactical toolbox for installing offensive sets and managing in-game adjustments. The two former Pelicans staff members will collaborate with May to blend structured sets with the Mavericks’ pace-and-space identity.

The hires echo a broader trend in Dallas to import staff familiar with modern, position-less concepts, a philosophy also evident in the Pelicans’ recent experiment with veteran DeAndre Jordan serving as a player-coach hybrid. By tapping into the New Orleans network, the Mavericks signal a willingness to blend external ideas with their own culture rather than relying solely on internal promotions.

Temple will report to training camp in late September, where he is expected to work closely with the player-development staff on defensive drills and film. Green will assist May in installing offensive sets during the preseason, positioning himself as a key member of the coaching bench. Their impact will be measured early in the regular season as Dallas evaluates its wing defense and second-unit productivity.