Mavericks part ways with Jason Kidd after five seasons

WASHINGTON: The Dallas Mavericks said on Tuesday that they and head coach Jason Kidd had mutually agreed to separate, bringing his five-season spell in charge of the NBA franchise to an end.

The announcement was made in a post on the team’s website, which said the organisation would begin an immediate search for a new head coach.

Kidd led Dallas to the Western Conference finals in 2022 and then to the NBA Finals in 2024 during his time with the team. However, his tenure ended after the Mavericks finished 26-56 in their first full season following the February 2025 trade that sent Slovenian star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Season shaped by major roster upheaval

In April, Kidd said he was not involved in the process that resulted in Doncic being traded to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick.

The deal was overseen by Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who was later fired in November. The trade drew a strong backlash from Mavericks supporters and was followed by a series of setbacks for the team.

Davis suffered an adductor muscle strain in his first appearance for Dallas, while star guard Kyrie Irving later tore his left anterior cruciate ligament. The two spent very little time on the court together before Davis was traded to Washington in February.

Despite the difficult campaign, the Mavericks saw some encouragement in the emergence of 19-year-old Cooper Flagg, who put together a Rookie of the Year season.

Franchise says it wants a new direction

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri said the organisation believed it was the right time to move in a different direction as it assessed the future of its basketball programme.

He said the franchise had high expectations and a responsibility to build a setup capable of sustained championship contention, adding that the club would carry out a thorough and disciplined search for its next head coach.

Ujiri also said the Mavericks would continue reviewing the wider basketball operations staff to ensure the team competes at the level supporters expect.

Kidd, a former Mavericks player, won an NBA title with the franchise during his playing career. His departure marks another major change for Dallas after a turbulent period that included a high-profile trade, injuries to key players and changes in the front office.

With the coaching position now vacant, the Mavericks are set to begin the next phase of their restructuring as they look to recover from a disappointing season and re-establish themselves as contenders.