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

1. Ime Udoka

Luka Doncic clashed with former head coach Rick Carlisle, and there is no more important thing to the Mavericks than the happiness of their 24-year-old superstar. They cannot afford to bring in a coach that he does not like. Udoka may not be coaching this season after leading the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, but he has received plenty of praise from his now-former players.

Dallas is not afraid to make a controversial move if they believe it is best for the organization. Look at the team’s recent trade history as proof. Plenty of fans and pundits bashed trading Kristaps Porzingis for Spencer Dinwiddie after his rough stint in Washington, but the move helped propel Dallas to the conference finals. The Mavs also traded for Kyrie Irving after his whirlwind tenure in Brooklyn. They brought back Jason Kidd after two departures as a player.

Ime Udoka comes with baggage, but his coaching record speaks for itself. After a seven-year NBA playing career, he helped the Spurs win a title as an assistant coach in 2014, and he took Boston to the finals in his lone year in charge for the Celtics.

Udoka was mentioned as a candidate in both Brooklyn and Atlanta, while still suspended. He figures to be one of the hottest names this summer, but the 44-year-old has plenty of questions to answer about why he is no longer in Boston.

The Dallas Mavericks have had a bad year. They must improve their roster around Luka Doncic if they want to contend for a championship. Expect head coach Jason Kidd to be back next season, but his seat will start getting hot if the Mavs struggle again.