DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 05: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second ... [+]
Jason Kidd isn’t leaving Dallas any time soon. The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with the organization, the team announced Monday.
“We are excited to have coach Kidd continue to lead our team throughout the coming years with this well-earned contract extension,” Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont said in a statement. “Kidd led our team to two playoff appearances in three seasons, and we are looking forward to his leadership in continuing to build and grow this already great franchise.”
The extension comes as rumors about his future in Dallas began heating up. Kidd was mentioned as a possible candidate to be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers — along with Tyronn Lue and JJ Redick — given his familiarity with LeBron James and the organization, according to a report. However, NBA insider Marc Stein dispelled that rumor, reporting that Kidd would likely receive an extension from the Mavericks.
“Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who like Lue has only one season left on his current contract, would also be an obvious target for the Lakers — if Kidd were to become available," Stein wrote. "That, however, is not expected to happen. League sources say Kidd is also the likely recipient of a contract extension in the near future, having led Dallas to two 50-win seasons and three playoff series wins in four attempts in his three seasons as Mavericks coach.
“I'm told that the Lakers, for their part, don't anticipate Kidd becoming a coaching free agent any more than they expect to have a shot at Lue.”
Kidd is currently in his third season with the Mavericks as the head coach. The final year of his contract would have been the 2024-25 season. He has led the Mavericks to a regular season record of 140-106. The organization has also won a playoff series in two of his first three seasons as the head coach, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.
"I have known Jason for a long time, and I cannot think of a better, more qualified candidate to lead this team going forward," General Manager Nico Harrison said in a statement. "As a former NBA Champion Hall of Fame player, Jason brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role which cannot be duplicated. He has earned the trust and respect of our players and that of so many across the league, and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to build upon the culture and foundation of success he's helped foster throughout his tenure as head coach."
The Mavericks begin their Western Conference semi-final series with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
