The Mavericks and head coach Jason Kidd have mutually agreed to part ways, Marc Stein of The Stein Line tweets.
Kidd signed an extension last offseason and still has four years and more than $40MM remaining on his contract, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix (Twitter link).
The news comes just a little more than two weeks after the Mavericks named former Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as their president and alternate governor. At that time, the team indicated Ujiri would oversee all aspects of the Mavericks’ basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel, and scouting, while working with team leadership to shape the organization’s basketball philosophy and long-term direction.
Ujiri and Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont reached the decision this week to move on from Kidd, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets. The Mavericks sent out a press release, relayed by Mannix (Twitter link), with comments from Ujiri.
“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,” he said in the statement. “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.”
Kidd was named head coach of the Mavericks on June 28, 2021 and was highly successful prior to the controversial Luka Doncic trade with the Lakers. During his tenure, the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and reached the NBA Finals in 2024. Dallas was injury-riddled this season while finishing 26-56.
Ujiri indicated that he wanted to wipe the slate clean and bring in his choice to lead a franchise that will be built around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team,” Ujiri said. “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 presence of Flagg plus the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft will make the Dallas job attractive. Kidd’s resume will place him at or near the top of any number of head coaching searches around the league. Chicago, Orlando and Portland are currently looking for a new head coach.
Definitely did not want to coach a rebuilding team without Kai and Luka, can you blame him?
Wonder if he goes the Mike Malone route and goes to college?
If the Mavs fired him it wasnt his fault that they traded their franchise star
Wasnt his fault that his 2 HOFers AD and Kyrie got injured, or the D’Angelo Russell deal, or Quentin Grimes, that was all front office dysfunction
I think Masai wanted a change and JKidd agreed to move on. He loves the Mavs organization but with the team right now, it’s definitely not enjoyable to coach.
Oh I agree not his fault but the writing was on the wall when that trade happened. Doomed to fail, especially after Kai tore his ACL.
Complete reset around Flagg, the bought and paid for ROY.
ownership wiping the slate, trying to move to Vegas
“Ujiri and Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont reached the decision this week to move on from Kidd”
I think Kidd would have stuck around. He is not an elite coach. Just OK. But he may have been a good coach for the team they have.
Seems Kidd always has a mutual agreement to leave wherever he goes. Seems to burn exec management out after a few years.
He’s not a great coach but I believe he has the respect of the players. His ego, however…
Something tells me he’s going to New York if they fail to get 8 more wins.
I’m glad Masai Ujiri got rid of Jason Kidd. Jason Kidd better coaching a veteran laden team and not a rebuilding team.
Kidd has been known to be a liar. I believe he lied when he said he didn’t know about the Luka trade till the last minute. The reason I believe this is because Luka has refused ti speak to him and shouted angrily at him when he first came back. He was cool with all his former teammates and other Mavs staff.
So, I think this was the last if Dumont cleaning house from the bad advice he hit!!!