According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks will likely sign head coach Jason Kidd to a contract extension. The Los Angeles Lakers were linked to Kidd as a possible replacement for the recently fired Darvin Ham. However, it appears likely the former NBA champion will stay put.
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.
In March, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Kidd remained “hopeful” for a contract extension to remain Dallas’ head coach.
“Doncic, who is in the thick of the MVP race yet again, is leading a team that has been dominant of late,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick wrote. “Irving, who gives Doncic much-needed balance on the offensive end, is playing beautiful basketball. And Kidd, league sources say, is hopeful that he can secure an extension this summer.
With Kidd at the helm, the Mavericks are preparing for their second-round playoff matchup against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. During the regular season, Dallas had a 50-32 record. And in his three-season tenure as the team’s head coach, the Mavericks have a 140-106 record with a Western Conference Finals appearance.
Dallas Mavericks’ Long-Term Plan for Jason Kidd Revealed
The Mavericks Look Unrecognizable From Last Season
Before the team traded for Kyrie Irving ahead of last year’s NBA Trade Deadline, the Mavericks had a 29-26 record and sat tied for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. The Mavericks then went on 9-18 the rest of the way and missed the postseason entirely. Now, the Mavericks are four wins away from their second Conference Finals appearance in three seasons. Recently, Irving talked about the “growing pains” that came with teaming up with Luka Doncic.
“Initially, I knew that [me and Luka] were going to have some growing pains,” Irving told FOX Sports. “But I just came with the best intentions. It was the first time for me getting traded midseason and having to pick my family up, transition. But I’ve always [sic] respected Luka.”
Luka Dončić & Kyrie Irving just broke the NBA record for most points by a duo (338) in their 1st playoff series together. pic.twitter.com/WEaw6gdPIq
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) May 4, 2024
The Last Word
The Mavericks look like legitimate title contenders this season. Despite questions about the Irving-Doncic pairing, it is clear they create a very explosive offense. Additionally, the rest of their starting lineup has played well since the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. Unfortunately for the team, they will likely be without role player Maxi Kleber the rest of the way. Still, that should not stop them from being competitive. Although their matchup against Oklahoma City will be tough, they have the tools to pull off an upset and advance to the next round of the playoffs. Even though their roster is built well, a lot of credit deserves to go to Kidd. Kidd has one more year left on his contract. An extension would make sense for both parties.
