Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has signed a long-term contract extension with the team after being linked with the vacancy at the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers fired Darvin Ham after two seasons at the helm on Friday, having been eliminated from the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the Denver Nuggets.
In the aftermath of that move, reports suggested Kidd, who is set to lead the Mavs into a Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder this week, was a candidate to replace Ham.
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However, Dallas have quickly moved to kill those claims by handing Kidd a new contract, which they see as a reward for leading the team on two postseason runs in three years at the helm.
“We are excited to have coach Kidd continue to lead our team throughout the coming years with this well-earned contract extension,” Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont said on Monday.
“Kidd led our team to two playoff appearances in three seasons, and we are looking forward to his leadership in continuing to build and grow this already great franchise.”
That’s our coach
We have signed @RealJasonKidd to a multi-year contract extension.#MFFL pic.twitter.com/MnsS4I8p0h
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 6, 2024
Kidd led Dallas to the Western Conference finals in his first season in charge in 2021-22, though they were beaten 4-1 by the Golden State Warriors, who went on to win the NBA championship.
The Mavs finished 38-44 and missed the playoffs last year, but they returned to the postseason by going 50-32 in 2023-24, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving starring.
Kidd thanked Dumont, as well as general manager Nico Harrison, in a statement of his own, saying: “I’m very thankful for Patrick and Nico and to be able to have a new deal going forward.
“I truly believe Patrick and Nico are building a championship team, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
