Dallas — Jason Kidd is no longer the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the club announced Tuesday evening, describing the move as a mutual decision.
The 53-year-old coach departs with four years and more than $40 million left on his contract, according to sources. Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, who had extended Kidd’s deal during the team’s 2024 NBA Finals run and again last year, granted newly hired team president Masai Ujiri full authority to determine the coaching future.
“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction,” Ujiri said in a written statement. He added that the organization will conduct “a thorough, disciplined search” for Kidd’s successor while reviewing the entire basketball operations staff.
Front-office tension preceded decision
Sources said Kidd sought a promotion to president of basketball operations after general manager Nico Harrison was dismissed in November, but Dumont informed him he would not be considered. Kidd was also excluded from the process that led to Ujiri’s hiring.
During his introductory news conference on May 5, Ujiri declined to commit to retaining Kidd, noting he would evaluate every aspect of the organization.
On-court results
Kidd finished his Dallas tenure with a 205-205 regular-season record and a 22-18 mark in the playoffs, guiding the Mavericks to the 2022 Western Conference finals and the 2024 NBA Finals.
Dallas made a dramatic roster shift in February 2025, trading franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package centered on Anthony Davis. The move backfired, contributing to the firing of Harrison eight months later. Kidd maintained he learned of the deal only “at the 11th hour,” a claim disputed publicly by minority owner Mark Cuban.
With Doncic in the lineup, the Mavericks were 136-87 under Kidd; without him, they went 69-118. Dallas finished last season 26-56 after moving the oft-injured Davis to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline to clear salary-cap space for a rebuild around top draft pick and Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Career overview
A Hall of Fame point guard, Kidd was drafted by Dallas in 1994 and helped the franchise capture its lone championship in 2011. As an NBA head coach, he owns a 388-395 record, having previously led the Brooklyn Nets (2013-14) and Milwaukee Bucks (2014-18).
No timetable was given for naming the Mavericks’ next head coach.
Source: ESPN
