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Dallas Mavericks and Head Coach Jason Kidd Mutually Part Ways After Five Seasons

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Dallas Mavericks Part Ways with Head Coach Jason Kidd

"We believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team."
— Masai Ujiri, Mavericks President

The Dallas Mavericks announced Tuesday that they have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd after five seasons. The decision, approved by owner Patrick Dumont, comes two weeks after the team hired Masai Ujiri as president and alternate governor.

Timeline of Key Events

  • June 28, 2021: Kidd named head coach, replacing Rick Carlisle.
  • 2022 Season: Mavericks finish 52-30, reach Western Conference Finals.
  • June 2024: Kidd leads Mavericks to NBA Finals, lose to Boston Celtics in six games.
  • October 2024: Kidd signs a four-year, $40+ million contract extension.
  • February 2025: Luka Dončić traded to Lakers for package centered on Anthony Davis.
  • 2024-25 & 2025-26 Seasons: Mavericks miss playoffs in both years.
  • May 2025: Masai Ujiri hired as president and alternate governor.
  • Late May 2025: Mutual decision to part ways with Kidd announced.

Coaching Record and Performance

Kidd compiled a 205-205 regular-season record with the Mavericks across five seasons. He led the team to the NBA Finals in 2024 and the Western Conference Finals in 2022.

In the 2025-26 season, the Mavericks finished 26-56 and missed the playoffs. Contributing factors included the trade of Luka Dončić and subsequent injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving; the team lost 30 of its final 37 games to close the regular season.

Kidd holds a 388-395 record in nine-plus seasons as an NBA head coach, having previously coached the Brooklyn Nets (2013-14) and Milwaukee Bucks. He still has four years and over $40 million remaining on his contract.

Team Statements

Masai Ujiri issued the following statement:

"Jason has had a meaningful impact on the Dallas Mavericks, both as a Hall of Fame player and as the head coach who helped lead this franchise back to the NBA Finals. We are thankful for Jason’s leadership, his professionalism and his commitment to the team. In my short time here, I’ve developed an enormous amount of respect for what he has built. He will always be an important part of the Mavericks family."

Ujiri also addressed the future:

"We have high expectations for this franchise and a responsibility to build a basketball organization capable of sustained championship contention. We will conduct a thorough, disciplined search for our next head coach and continue to evaluate our entire basketball operations staff to ensure we compete at the standard Mavs fans expect and deserve."

Future Implications

The Mavericks hold the No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft and will build around rookie forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz will lead the search for a new head coach.

With four NBA teams currently holding coaching vacancies (Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and now the Dallas Mavericks), Kidd's resume is expected to place him as a candidate for other openings. Potential candidates for the Mavericks' vacancy include Billy Donovan, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, according to one report.

Historical Context

Since 2019, 12 coaches have led teams to the NBA Finals. Seven are no longer with those clubs, including four who won championships: Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel, Mike Budenholzer, and Michael Malone.