Mavericks Nearing Jason Kidd Decision Amid NBA Coaching Shuffle

The New York Knicks, the last team in the NBA still searching for a head coach after shockingly firing Tom Thibodeau, are approaching a decision on his replacement, with former Coach of the Year Mike Brown as the likely guy for the job.

That move wasn't before the Knicks asked several teams for permission to interview their current coach, including inquiring with the Dallas Mavericks about Jason Kidd.

Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard who was a former player for the Knicks at the end of his career, was pinned by many as New York's top target. There were also rumors that Kidd might be interested in returning to the Big Apple, but those did not garner any legitimate word from Kidd or the Mavericks.

Dallas general manager Nico Harrison declined the Knicks' request to interview Kidd, and now reports are surfacing that Harrison wants to lockdown his head coach long term in Dallas.

NBA insider Marc Stein says the Mavs are "expected" to give Kidd an extension before the start of next season.

Kidd will be entering his fifth season as head coach of the organization he helped lead to a championship in 2011. It is the longest time Kidd has spent as head coach of any team since his coaching career began with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013.

The Mavericks are 179-149 (.546) under Kidd's leadership, with two Western Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals berth during that time.

Although last season was one to forget for numerous reasons, Kidd has every reason to remain optimistic about this roster for next season and beyond.

Dallas returns stars Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving (who will be back around January from a torn ACL). Among a collection of valuable role players, Dallas also adds the best American-born prospect in years in No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks are expected to be major contenders in the West at the tail end of this season, and the future is just as promising with Flagg taking over the next generation.

And as it looks, Kidd will remain leading the charge through it all.