The Dallas Mavericks and head coach Jason Kidd have mutually agreed to part ways after five seasons, the organization announced on Tuesday.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported the decision came as Kidd still had four years and over $40 million left on his contract with the Mavericks.
Over five seasons in Dallas, Kidd guided the franchise to a 205-205 record, including a 2022 Western Conference Finals appearance and a 2024 NBA Finals appearance. Following the controversial trade of star Luka Doncic in February
2025, Dallas missed the playoffs the past two seasons. In a rebuilding year around No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg this past season, the Mavericks went 36-56.
New Mavericks President Masai Ujiri made this statement about the decision:
“Jason has had a meaningful impact on the Dallas Mavericks, both as a Hall of Fame player and as the head coach who helped lead this franchise back to the NBA Finals. We are thankful for Jason’s leadership, his professionalism and his commitment to the team. In my short time here, I’ve developed an enormous amount of respect for what he has built. He will always be an important part of the Mavericks family.
“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team. We have high expectations for this franchise and a responsibility to build a basketball organization capable of sustained championship contention. We will conduct a thorough, disciplined search for our next head coach and continue to evaluate our entire basketball operations staff to ensure we compete at the standard Mavs fans expect and deserve.”
The Portland Trail Blazers are also searching for a new head coach this offseason. During the last time Portland held a coaching search in the 2021 offseason, Blazers star Damian Lillard made it known that Kidd was the candidate he wanted for the position in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
Following that report, Kidd told ESPN he withdrew his name from consideration for the job because he felt the public nature of Lillard’s endorsement would put both Lillard and the organization’s process in an awkward circumstance should he pursue the opening. The Blazers ultimately went on to hire Chauncey Billups as their head coach that summer.
Of course, that was five years ago. Feelings and situations change. But it felt notable to point out the Blazers, Lillard and the now-available Kidd have some history when it comes to a coaching search.
