Dallas Mavericks: Why hiring Jason Kidd is a smart move for the Lakers

Former Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd has agreed to be an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Here is why they made a wise decision.

Dallas Mavericks fans are not ones to root for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team in Hollywood has dominated Dallas during the regular season. The Lakers lead the series 110 wins to 47.

The Mavericks exacted revenge against Los Angeles in their last playoff meeting, though. It was back in 2011 during Dallas’ championship run. The Mavs swept Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki did the heavy lifting in the series, but Dallas’ starting point guard was Jason Kidd.

Kidd is going to be one of the top assistants for the Lakers next season. Here is Adrian Wojnarowski’s tweet breaking the news.

Why J-Kidd is a fantastic fit

Jason Kidd’s basketball resume is unbelievable. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 for his 19-year playing career. Kidd won a ring with the Mavs in 2011. He was also Rookie of the Year in 1995 while playing in Dallas. J-Kidd’s ten All-Star appearances and six-times on the All-NBA team are a testament to his amazing skill on the court.

Fans can see Kidd’s Hall of Fame speech below.

He played for the Mavericks for two stints during his legendary career. The Mavs draft him second overall in 1994. Kidd was an All-Star in 1996 but only made it two and half seasons before being traded to the Suns in Dec. of 1996. He came back to Dallas in a deal in 2008. Kidd stayed for four and half years including being an All-Star in 2010, and the Mavs starting point guard on their championship team.

J-Kidd was a surefire Hall of Famer, but his career tells a tale of hard work. He was not a shooter early in his career. Kidd hit just 32.5 percent of his 3-pointers through his first ten seasons. Then Kidd dedicated himself to improving his shot. It led to a three seasons stretch from 2008-2010 where he nailed 40.6 percent from deep.

Kidd’s coaching experience is a bit of a mixed bag. He has five years of experience all as a head coach. He led the Nets to the second round of the playoffs in 2014. J-Kidd was also the Bucks head man for four seasons including two postseason appearances. Mavs fans can read an article about why he was fired from coaching Milwaukee during the season in 2018 here.

Kidd will be tasked with helping Lonzo Ball in LA. Ball was also the second overall pick. He has struggled mightily with his jumper and has drawn comparisons to Kidd since he was drafted. Expect the Hall of Famer to have a significant impact on Ball. Lonzo should improve his shooting, defense, and playmaking ability under Kidd’s tutelage. That alone will make the signing worthwhile for the Lakers.

Final thoughts

The Lakers hired former Dallas Mavericks star Jason Kidd as an assistant coach on May 11. The Hall of Famer will be joining Frank Vogel in leading LeBron and the Lakers next season. LA plans on contending immediately, so expect some significant moves this summer.

The Mavericks are also looking to push their way into contention. They have Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis leading the charge but need to round out their roster this offseason. Check back often because The Smoking Cuban will bring fans all the latest news and analysis on the Dallas Mavericks moves.