Coaching Rumors: Kidd, Bryant, Klei, Bailey, Cook

It’s natural that Kidd, who parted ways with the Mavericks this week, would be a potential candidate for any head coach opening.

Kidd has quietly been connected to Portland within league circles, according to Scotto, though it’s uncertain whether the Blazers will make a serious run at him or if he’ll want to pursue the job.

New majority owner Tom Dundon’s cost-cutting measures make it unlikely that the Blazers would meet Kidd’s market value. Kidd is still owed $40-plus million from the Mavericks, who are eating the final four years of his contract. Kidd has also expressed interest in making personnel decisions and Portland’s GM Joe Cronin signed a multi-year extension last year. The Blazers are already in the process of conducting coaching interviews with at least a handful of candidates coming in for in-person interviews.

However, Scotto also notes that Damian Lillard, who will be back in action next season after recovering from an Achilles tear, has previously expressed interest in having Kidd as his head coach. Back in 2021, the last time Portland had a coaching search, Lillard told Yahoo Sports, “Jason Kidd is the guy I want.”

Portland ultimately chose Chauncey Billups, who was placed on leave amid a federal probe at the start of this season.

Here’s more coaching intel from Scotto:

• Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant is a potential candidate for the Bulls’ head coaching vacancy. Bryant was a finalist for the Suns’ head coaching job last summer before Jordan Ott was chosen.
• The Hawks could be making an in-house hire. The coach of the G League’s College Park Skyhawks, Steven Klei, could be promoted to Quin Snyder’s NBA staff. There are a couple of openings on the staff, as Butler hired Ronald Nored to be their head coach and Conner Varney as an assistant.
• Hawks assistant Bryan Bailey was among the candidates who interviewed for Blazers’ head coaching job. Bailey joined Snyder in Atlanta after serving as an assistant on Snyder’s Utah staff.
• The Blazers contacted the Cavaliers for permission to speak with assistant coach Omar Cook regarding a possible assistant coaching position. Cook played for Portland during the 2003/04 season.