After another first-round playoff exit, the Mavericks quickly got to work this offseason. Former GM Donnie Nelson parting ways with the team was the first domino to fall. Just over a week later, another move may be arriving.
Lakers assistant Jason Kidd originally emerged as a frontrunner for the Mavs’ head coaching vacancy, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The team later opened contract negotiations with Kidd, as reported by Marc Stein of The New York Times. Former coach Rick Carlisle stepped down from his role and has since been hired on a four-year contract by the Pacers. Carlisle recently endorsed Kidd for following in his footsteps in Dallas, saying the following:
“My hope is that Jason Kidd will be the next head coach of the Mavs because he and Luka (Doncic) have so many things in common as players. I just think that it would be a great situation for Luka, and I think it would be an amazing situation for Jason. I’m the only person on the planet that’s coached both of those guys and that knows about all of their special qualities as basketball players. To me, that would just be a great marriage, but that’s just an opinion.”
The identity of the potentially soon-to-be President of Basketball Operations has yet to be revealed, but the party supports and endorses Kidd. Kidd has a “mutual interest” in the coaching vacancy, per Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. The candidate has yet to be officially appointed but is the leader among those who have recently met with Dallas.
If Carlisle ends up being right and the Mavericks hire Kidd, Luka Doncic could be thrilled. The 22-year-old has already accomplished so much in just three short years in the NBA and projects to be one of the league’s brightest stars for years to come. Having a head coach whose ideas and philosophies align with his would indeed be a great marriage.
As Dallas looks not only to return to the playoffs but win multiple series and even a championship, a balancing act will have to take place. Appeasing Doncic, managing the salary cap and adding winning talent are all paramount. If the latest reports on the franchise’s direction are any indication, more moves could be on the horizon.
8:50 EST update: Dallas is currently negotiating with Nike executive Nico Harrison for their basketball operations role, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
This story will continue to be updated as new details emerge.
