6 solid options to replace Jason Kidd as Mavericks head coach this summer

3. Terry Stotts

Stotts was an assistant on the Mavericks 2011 championship team under Rick Carlisle, and he too had been a head coach in two different places prior to his time in Dallas. One year after winning the title, Stotts took over as the head coach in Portland and had a nine-year run with the Blazers. His team reached the playoffs eight straight years, including advancing to the conference finals in 2019.

Stotts has experience coaching one of the best point guards in the league after his nine-year run with Damian Lillard. The seven-time All-Star came to Portland at the same time as Stotts. He was the only NBA head coach Dame knew until Stotts was fired in 2021.

Terry Stotts started coaching in the NBA in 1994. Eight current Mavericks were not even born yet, including Luka Doncic. Stotts was in his fifth season as an assistant coach before the 24-year-old superstar was born. The 65-year-old has a wealth of coaching experience and familiarity with the Mavericks.

If Dallas moves on from Jason Kidd, they will likely want a veteran head coach with experience leading a contender. Terry Stotts is one of the few available names who fits that bill, and his championship experience in Dallas could help him jump to the top of the list of candidates.