He was named director of basketball operations for NBA Asia in 2009 and oversaw the League's clinics, youth programs and elite-level development from his base in Hong Kong.

[3] Mahlalela began his tenure as an assistant coach in the 2013–14 NBA season.

On August 13, 2021, the Golden State Warriors hired Mahlalela as an assistant coach and director of player development.

[5] In Mahlalela's first season, the Warriors won the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in 6 games.

On June 15, 2023, it was announced Mahlalela would return to the Toronto Raptors as one of Darko Rajaković's top assistant coaches.