The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly expected to offer head coach Jason Kidd a contract extension before the start of next season. This news should end any remaining speculation about his future with the team. Kidd had previously been considered a prime candidate for the New York Knicks head coaching position after the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau, as the Knicks contacted other teams seeking permission to interview their coaches. Kidd was reportedly high on the Knicks` list, but the Mavericks denied their request. The Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks also reportedly declined similar requests.
Despite the denial, rumors about a potential move to the Knicks persisted, especially considering it was the last team the Hall of Fame point guard played for before retiring in 2013. Additionally, he coached Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during Brunson`s first season with the Mavericks. However, with Stein reporting the Mavericks` plans to offer an extension and their denial of the Knicks` interview request, it appears he won`t be leaving Dallas anytime soon. Meanwhile, the Knicks seem close to hiring a new coach, with former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown considered the frontrunner.
Kidd is set to begin his fifth season leading the Mavericks. This marks his longest tenure as a head coach with a single team since starting his coaching career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. Over his four seasons in Dallas so far, Kidd has compiled a 179-149 record (.546 winning percentage). The team has reached the postseason twice under his guidance. In both playoff runs, the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals, and in 2024, they made it to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Although Dallas missed the playoffs in the previous season, there were certainly valid reasons. In February, the Mavericks surprisingly traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers – a move Kidd was unaware of until just before it happened. This trade, combined with numerous injuries including Kyrie Irving`s torn ACL, Anthony Davis dealing with a groin strain, and constant lineup changes due to various ailments affecting role players, resulted in the Mavericks being a lottery team for the second time during Kidd`s tenure.
Fortunately, the Mavericks are heading into next season on an upswing after a turbulent year that saw their fanbase nearly revolt. The newfound optimism stems from Dallas winning the draft lottery and securing Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. Kidd will now coach another generational talent in Flagg, alongside a veteran roster built to contend for a championship once Irving returns from injury.
Kidd has spoken positively multiple times about the prospect of coaching Flagg next season, and now it seems he will be there for at least the first few years of Flagg`s career, with a contract extension on the horizon.
Jasper Hawthorne