Mavericks finalizing deal to hire Jason Kidd as head coach

Former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd warms up players before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks reportedly finalizing deal to hire Jason Kidd as head coach

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Jun 25, 2021 9:17 AM ET

Jason Kidd is returning to Dallas.

The Mavericks are finalizing a deal to hire the Hall of Fame point guard as their next head coach, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Kidd has reportedly begun putting together a coaching staff to join him, Wojnarowski adds.

Jason Kidd has started work on assembling a coaching staff as sides finalize a deal that’ll make him Dallas’ next head coach, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Llkm6UAvwM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 25, 2021

Former Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, who left the organization earlier this month, endorsed Kidd as a strong candidate for the job, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

The 48-year-old began coaching in 2013. He compiled a 183-190 record with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Lakers as an assistant in 2019.

The Mavericks are also reportedly in talks to bring on Nico Harrison, Nike's vice president of American basketball, for a leadership role in the basketball operations department.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, Harrison, if he accepts the role, is expected to work alongside Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki. He'll also assist owner Mark Cuban.

Kidd played parts of eight seasons in Dallas from 1994-97 and 2008-12, winning an NBA title with the franchise in 2011.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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