Dallas Mavericks rumors: Jason Kidd candidate to become head coach

The Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle resigned just one day after the franchise parted ways with president of basketball operations and general manager Donnie Nelson. He had two years left on his deal but felt it was the right time to move on. Carlisle agreed to be the head coach for the Indiana Pacers on June 24.

The Mavs have not begun their search for a new head coach. They plan on hiring a lead executive before exploring the candidates. One of the names expected to be at the front of the list is Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd. He helped lead the Mavericks to the championship in 2011 in his second stint with the team as a player.

Carlisle endorsed Kidd on Thursday afternoon before Marc Stein reported he is under serious consideration for the Mavs opening. Here is a closer look at the developments.

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Rumors: Dallas Mavericks considering Jason Kidd for head coach vacancy

Carlisle had this to say about his former team after agreeing to a deal to coach the Pacers.

Carlisle (cont.): "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."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 24, 2021

Kidd and Luka Doncic both have a special ability to see the floor and make plays. The Hall of Famer struggled in his previous two stints as a head coach, though. Marc Stein followed up with this on the prospect of the Mavericks bringing in Kidd.

Carlisle's motives for the statement will certainly be questioned, but one source noted Kidd has many fans within the franchise after helping Dallas win its breakthrough title in 2011. He was always sure to be strongly considered for the club's first coaching vacancy since 2008.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2021

J-Kidd won a ring as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Did he learn from his previous mistakes as a head coach? Would he help the Dallas Mavericks take the next step in 2022? Owner Mark Cuban will have to decide if Jason Kidd is the best candidate to be their next coach. Finding an executive is their first order of business, though.

The Dallas Mavericks will consider multiple candidates for their head coaching vacancy. Jason Kidd is going to be in the mix. Stay tuned for all the latest at The Smoking Cuban.

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