"Nico added another Klutch sports scapegoat avengers to Dallas": Fans erupt as Mavs pull Lakers playbook in Jason Kidd-Frank Vogel reunion

While the hottest offseason signing happened elsewhere in Texas, the Mavericks have been doing their own retooling in Dallas. After landing Cooper Flagg as the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Mavericks organization has bolstered its coaching staff as well.

On Wednesday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the head coach who helped LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA title would be joining the Mavericks’ brain trust this season.

"Frank Vogel is finalizing an agreement to join the Dallas Mavericks as a lead assistant coach under Jason Kidd, sources tell ESPN," Charania tweeted. "The 2020 NBA championship-winning coach is a major addition to the Mavericks staff."

The hiring of Vogel, who worked with current Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during the Lakers’ most recent title campaign, drew a variety of reactions from fans online.

"Nico added another Klutch sports scapegoat avengers to Dallas," one fan tweeted.

Smart Punk

@onlymessihasmor

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Nico added another Klutch sports scapegoat avengers to Dallas

SLY

@DunVsEverybodyy

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This gone be the team that’s built to stop the lakers ? Lmao injury prone frauds

✧.*

@HoodiiBron

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Nico such a goated gm

𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕 ‏

@BolWrld

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More scared of Vogel joining as a assistant coach than “Deandre Ayton”

Sticks-n-Stonez Cigar & Spirits Show by BrentElrod

@sticksnstonez2

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Ok, not really excited.

MFFL Nation

@NationMffl

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NOBODY IS MESSING WITH DALLAS THIS YEAR

Prior to joining the Dallas bench, Vogel served head coaching stints in Indiana, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Over 12 seasons as a head coach, the 52-year-old mentor has taken three trips to a conference final and amassed a regular-season record of 480-422.

As Kidd’s lead assistant in Dallas, Vogel is expected to work on the Mavericks’ defensive identity in the 2025-26 campaign. Vogel’s teams have finished as a top-10 defense seven times in his career, and his expertise is a welcome addition to a Mavericks squad that ranked 20th in defensive rating this past season.

Mavs strengthen backcourt by re-signing free agent veteran as Kyrie Irving focuses on recovery

A few hours before Charania tweeted about Vogel’s addition to the Mavericks’ coaching staff, he reported a key re-signing that stabilizes the team’s backcourt.

"Free agent guard Dante Exum has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN," Charania posted on X. "Exum considered two other contenders but returns to Dallas to share ball-handling duties to start the season with D'Angelo Russell."

Exum, who has spent the past two seasons with the Mavericks, will now play alongside new acquisition D’Angelo Russell as Kyrie Irving continues to recover from his ACL injury.