By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The blueprint for modern NBA winning strategies is shifting, and the latest staff announcements prove it. Ahead of the 2026-27 Regular Season, both the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks are leaning heavily into European minds, following the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings, hunting for a distinct tactical edge.
The biggest headline here is Ettore Messina. One of the most celebrated figures in EuroLeague history is coming back to the NBA. The 66-year-old Italian expert, who captured four EuroLeague titles with Kinder Bologna and CSKA, is joining the bench in Atlanta as a coaching consultant, as officially announced on Wednesday. It is a massive reunion. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder actually worked under Messina over in Moscow during the 2012–13 season, so their shared history runs incredibly deep.
But Atlanta didn’t stop there. They also hired Sergi Oliva as a strategy and development advisor. The Barcelona native spent 12 years grinding as a head coach in Spain’s youth and amateur circuits before jumping to NBA front offices and benches with the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers. Also, new assistant coach Jason Love spent his entire professional playing career in Europe from 2011 to 2023.
Meanwhile, Dallas finalized their own coaching roster with a clear nod to global experience, including American-Israeli Mody Maor. The former Hapoel Jerusalem head coach is leaping to the NBA as an assistant on Dusty May’s newly assembled bench, following additional play-calling stints at Nagasaki Velca and New Zealand Breakers.
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