Jason Burgos
After shockingly being fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, a new report reveals a pair of teams that could soon request an interview with the Hall of Famer.
Before the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers took part in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals inside Madison Square Garden, the Mavericks dropped a bombshell on the basketball world when reports revealed they had fired their head coach after five seasons in the job.
Despite Kidd leading the team to the NBA Finals two years ago, and having four years and $40 million left on his contract after signing an extension in 2024, NBA insider Marc Stein claims new Mavs head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, wanted a “clean slate” after taking the job a couple of weeks ago.
It now means a well-respected head coach who was a legend as a player is available to NBA teams, with or without an opening. Yet, it is very possible that the 53-year-old takes a break and waits for the first opportunity to emerge after stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Mavericks.
Could the Magic and Trail Blazers target Jason Kidd as their next coach?
If he does take interviews, Stein pointed to a pair of teams that would make sense as landing spots for Kidd—first, the Orlando Magic. The NBA insider claims the team had serious interest in Kidd before the 2021 season. And the same top decision-makers — head of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and top adviser John Hammond — who liked him then still hold those roles.
Another potential option for Kidd may surprise some. “Kidd also has a longstanding relationship with new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, who has deep Dallas ties.” The billionaire built his wealth in Big D, and the 10-time All-Star is a basketball legend in the city. So it makes sense they have crossed paths over the years and built a friendship.
The biggest hindrance to Kidd possibly going to Portland is that all reports claim that Dundon is looking to hire a new head coach for cheap. The former Mavericks head coach is likely well out of his price range. However, with $40 million still coming to him, Kidd may be willing to take a discount for a friend and take on a Trail Blazers team with a nice young core.
