The Los Angeles Lakers can cross off one name from their list of potential head coaching candidates. Jason Kidd is not going anywhere. He is signing a multi-year contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, per Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report.
A second-round meeting with the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs is not preventing the organization from addressing some of its other matters. Obviously, management did not want to risk waiting until the offseason to iron out negotiations and risk losing the person who has manned the sidelines for the last three years.
Kidd has compiled his share of detractors throughout his coaching career, but the good is outweighing the bad in Dallas. The Mavs reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and could be in line to do the same or better in 2024. Although the embarrassing 38-44 campaign sandwiched in between those two fruitful seasons deserves to be justly scrutinized, this franchise is on the rise.
A first-round triumph versus the Los Angeles Clippers seems to be enough evidence for the Dallas brass that Kidd is capable of achieving more favorable results in the future. “We are excited to have Coach Kidd continue to lead our team throughout the coming years with this well-earned contract extension,” Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont said in a statement.
“I have known Jason for a long time, and I cannot think of a better, more qualified candidate to lead this team going forward,” general manager Nico Harrison said. “As a former NBA Champion Hall of Fame player, Jason brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role which cannot be duplicated. He has earned the trust and respect of our players and that of so many across the league, and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to build upon the culture and foundation of success he's helped foster throughout his tenure as head coach.”
Kidd is surely thrilled to receive this type of commitment from the organization, but he does not have much time to celebrate. The Mavs battle the Thunder in Game 1 on Tuesday night at the Paycom Center. Ownership is hoping for an immediate return on its investment.
Jason Kidd, Mavericks ready for upstart Thunder
Despite the odds, many believe Dallas is the favorite to emerge victorious from this face-off. With a Hall of Fame backcourt and an edge in postseason experience, this group is a dangerous matchup for young OKC. The potential X-factor, however, is the Mavericks' advantage inside.
Thunder fans are understandably tired of hearing about the “size” narrative. The team continues to shatter expectations but is nonetheless met with skepticism. Chet Holmgren is a blocking machine (2.3 per game) whom opponents cannot afford to underestimate. The same can be said for Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, however.
Through their defensive intensity, these big men are lifting the Mavericks to the next level. They are perfect compliments to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, providing Dallas with the balance it needs to contend for a championship.
How Jason Kidd decides to utilize them could play a critical role in determining the winner of this series. Maybe the head coach will be further emboldened by the early offseason gift that was just bestowed upon him. A little extra confidence should help, especially against the fearless Thunder.
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