Jason Kidd expected to receive interest from Celtics, Trail Blazers

Spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach on Frank Vogel‘s staff, Jason Kidd has impressed the Lakers during that time, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, who says the front office has “raved” about Kidd.

Haynes cites Kidd’s innovative ideas, communication skills and ability to “rally the troops” as traits that have impressed the Lakers. The club believes he should be a top candidate for open head coaching jobs this offseason — and it sounds like he will be.

According to Haynes, the Celtics are expected to interview Kidd for their newly opened head coaching position. Additionally, Haynes reports that there’s an expectation Kidd will be a top target for the Trail Blazers if they move on from Terry Stotts. Marc Stein of the New York Times echoes this point, tweeting that there’s “strong buzz” in coaching circles linking Kidd to Portland.

Boston is the only team that currently has a head coaching vacancy after Brad Stevens transitioned to a front office role. However, a number of other teams are evaluating their head coaches. Besides the Blazers and Stotts, the Pacers and Wizards will have to make decisions on Nate Bjorkgren and Scott Brooks, respectively. It may not be long before there are multiple clubs in the market for a new coach.

Kidd has two stints as a head coach under his belt, leading the Nets for a single season in 2013-14, then the Bucks from 2014-18. He had a combined regular-season record of 183-190 (.491) during his four-and-a-half years as a head coach in Brooklyn and Milwaukee, with a playoff mark of 9-15 (.375), including a lone series win in 2014.

Kidd has had some run-ins with the law in the past. He pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge in 2001 and to a misdemeanor DWI charge in 2013. However, his legal history hasn’t prevented him from being hired for multiple jobs since then.