Jason

Kidd

Kidd has been with Dallas since 2021 and will remain with the team for at least a few more seasons. Kidd will be tasked with getting this team back to the Finals after they lost in the play-in tournament this past season, which came after losing to Boston in the championship the year prior. Without Luka Doncic, Kidd will look to have this team win now and in the future with Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving leading the way.

While Kidd has been connected with the Knicks’ head coaching vacancy, there has yet to be a request for permission to speak with him. And, based on recent reports, the Mavericks do not appear to be worried about possibly losing their coach this summer. According to The Athletic, the belief is that Kidd is looking to parlay the Knicks’ interest into a contract extension with the Mavericks. Given his connection to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and Dallas having the first overall pick in this month’s draft, Kidd staying in his current role would not be surprising.

Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.

"[Luka] had a great game, but no one else showed,” Kidd said. “We’ve got to get other guys shooting the ball better. We can’t win with just him out there scoring 30 a night -- not at this time of the year. And we’re playing the best team in the league, so we’ve got to get other guys going.” Kidd mentioned Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie specifically, as the two have combined for 41 points on 32% shooting in Games 1 and 2. “A lot of players, it’s the first time in this situation,” Doncic said. “We believe, man. They’ve got to win four, so it’s not over yet.”

Kidd is said to have no interest in signing for just one season, but the Knicks may not be prepared to offer more than that unless they think that having Kidd on board would increase the chances of LeBron James signing next summer. The Mavs still appear to be the most likely destination for Kidd, but the Knicks are going to make a hard pitch.

Dallas has won four straight games coming into their matchup with the Rockets. Luka Doncic’s return will help ease the pain of being without their head coach, though Doncic (ankle) is doubtful for Friday. Sean Sweeney will take over head coaching duties during Kidd’s absence.

Kokoskov has 20 years of NBA coaching experience, including one as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns in 2018-2019. He also served as the head coach of the Slovenian national team for two years, where he coached Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. It is said that the two have a good relationship, which is a big reason for Kokoskov’s hiring. Kokoskov coached this past season for Fenerbahce in Turkey but has reportedly parted ways with the Turkish power to accept this new position with the Mavericks.

No surprise here, as it was widely reported on Thursday that Kidd and the Mavericks had begun contract negotiations. It’s reportedly a four-year deal. Shams also reports Friday that Nico Harrison, a former Nike executive, will serve as the Mavs‘ new General Manager and run basketball operations. Kidd has a career record of 183-190 as a head coach, having last been the head man in Milwaukee from 2014 to 2018.

Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this evening that Kidd had emerged as a “strong frontrunner” to secure the Dallas gig, and just a short while later, Marc Stein confirmed that the two sides indeed have begun contract negotiations. The Mavs are also working on hiring a new GM, but they’re close on that, and the currently unnamed GM has given his blessing to the Kidd hiring.

Rick Carlisle publicly lobbied for Kidd to be hired as the next coach on his way out the door, and Kidd also has the backing of Mavs’ legend, Dirk Nowitzki, who has been advising Mark Cuban as he looks to hire a new coach and GM. The idea of Kidd as a head coach is routinely mocked in the Twittersphere, but he was partly responsible for developing Giannis Antetokounmpo as a playmaker, and he did win a championship during his playing days with the Mavericks.