Los Angeles Lakers granted Jason Kidd permission to interview for the Orlando Magic head coaching vacancy later this week, Melissa Rohlin of FOX Sports reported.
Kidd has been a key member of the Los Angeles coaching staff for the past two seasons. Last week, Frank Vogel praised Kidd's performance and support, calling Kidd “one of my closest friends” and “a trusted advisor.”
Vogel specifically hailed the Hall of Famer's commitment to learning the nitty-gritty of the job after jumping straight from playing into a head coaching role with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013.
FWIW, here's what Frank Vogel and Rob Pelinka recently said about Jason Kidd's performance with the Lakers over the past 2 seasons: https://t.co/pkEBWfcHtH pic.twitter.com/zgKwVIgvPy
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) June 14, 2021
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka also praised Kidd following Lakers' exit interviews: “You have a guy like Jason Kidd, who has been just outstanding here as a lead assistant, just a 10 out of 10 I think, in all ways.”
Kidd recently spoke on his desire to get another shot at head coaching with The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, though it was apparently not going to be with the Portland Trail Blazers. Days after Damian Lillard publicly advocated for his fellow Oakland native to replace Terry Stotts, Kidd pulled his name out of the running.
Kidd cited Lillard's endorsement as the reason, though his history of domestic abuse and other off-court behavior has arisen as a possible red flag so he could have gotten word that the Blazers were not interested. He was reported to be a candidate for the Boston Celtics job (and various college gigs), though has not been granted an interview, yet.
Kidd coached the Nets to a 44-38 record in 2013-14 and led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 139-152 record over the next four seasons.
Kidd is among a slew of reported candidates to helm the re-building Magic, including Los Angeles Clippers assistant Kenny Atkinson, Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka, San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon, and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham.
Magic GM John Hammond was the GM of the Bucks during Kidd's time in Milwaukee.
Orlando, who finished 21-51 in 2020-21 and parted ways with Steve Clifford, will be looking for a coach with player development expertise. Kidd did not exactly excel in that department in Milwaukee, though his tenure with the Lakers seems to have made him a better all-around coach.
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