In a move that quashes speculation about his future, the Dallas Mavericks have announced a multi-year contract extension for coach Jason Kidd. The announcement comes amid rumors of Kidd being a potential candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach position, following the firing of Darvin Ham.
"We are excited to have Coach Kidd continue to lead our team throughout the coming years with this well-earned contract extension," stated Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. The Mavericks have seen significant success under Kidd's leadership, with two playoff appearances in three seasons and a Southwest Division title this year.
Kidd, a former NBA Champion Hall of Fame player, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as head coach. "I have known Jason for a long time, and I cannot think of a better, more qualified candidate to lead this team going forward," said General Manager Nico Harrison. Kidd's ability to connect with the Mavericks' players, particularly Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, has been instrumental in the team's success.
The Mavericks have recorded 50-plus wins in two of Kidd's three seasons at the helm, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2022. With the win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of this postseason, Kidd is now 3-1 in playoff series with the Mavericks.
The terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the deal ends any speculation about Kidd's future in Dallas. Kidd had previously worked for the Lakers as an assistant coach from 2019-2021, and his name had come up in the Lakers' initial discussions about a replacement for Ham.
However, the Lakers reportedly did not anticipate Kidd becoming a coaching free agent, and his extension in Dallas should officially quash any possibility of him rejoining the Lakers. Kidd will instead continue to lead the Mavericks, where he is closer to achieving his goal of an NBA title.
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