Jason Kidd and the Mavericks finished a tough, first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Friday with a 114-101 win.
Kidd was handsomely rewarded for that series victory and his performance throughout his first three seasons as Dallas' head coach.
The Mavericks announced Monday the team signed Kidd to a multi-year contract extension.
MORE: Breaking down, predicting the Mavericks vs. Thunder playoff series
"I have known Jason for a long time, and I cannot think of a better, more qualified candidate to lead this team going forward," Dallas general manager Nico Harrison said in a statement. "As a former NBA champion [and] Hall of Fame player, Jason brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role which cannot be duplicated. He has earned the trust and respect of our players and that of so many across the league, and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to build upon the culture and foundation of success he's helped foster throughout his tenure as head coach."
Kidd led the Mavericks to playoff appearances in two of his three seasons, and the team won 50-plus games in each of those campaigns. Dallas reached the Western Conference Finals in his first season as coach. The Mavericks may reach similar heights in 2024, as their playoff run is ongoing and both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are playing well and, more importantly, coexisting.
Though Kidd's extension was hardly a surprise, its timing is notable. Why? The Lakers fired Darvin Ham and would have been interested in bringing Kidd aboard to replace him if the Mavericks coach was available.
Here's what to know about Kidd's contract extension and the rumors about his candidacy with the Lakers.
NOH: Why J.J. Redick should (and shouldn't) be the Lakers' next coach
Jason Kidd contract details
The full details of Kidd's contract with the Mavericks are not yet known. What is known is that he signed a multi-year deal to remain in Dallas, which will give him security in what is his third career NBA head coaching stop.
Kidd's original contract was set to expire following the 2024-25 NBA season, so Dallas is being proactive in retaining the veteran head coach. And as mentioned, the team may have been willing to put pen to paper to avoid any temptation Kidd may have had to join the Lakers and try to guide LeBron James' squad to an NBA title.
NOH: Breaking down Paul George's best free agency landing spots
Jason Kidd Lakers rumors
Kidd was expected to be "an obvious target for the Lakers" during their coaching search if he became available, per long-time basketball reporter Marc Stein.
Los Angeles holding an interest in Kidd would hardly be surprising. He worked as an assistant coach for the team from 2019 to 2021 and helped Frank Vogel lead the squad to an NBA championship during the COVID-impacted 2020 season.
Kidd's combination of high-level playing experience — he is a 10-time All-Star and an MVP runner-up — head coaching experience and relationship with members of the Lakers would make him a natural fit as Los Angeles' leader.
But the Lakers didn't expect to have a shot at Kidd with his extension looming, as Stein reported.
I'm told that the Lakers, for their part, don't anticipate Kidd becoming a coaching free agent any more than they expect to have a shot at [Clippers coach Tyronn] Lue.
Still, Kidd's extension in Dallas should officially quash any possibility of him rejoining the Lakers to take aim at another title. He will instead stick with the Mavericks, where he's closer — for now, at least — to achieving that same goal.
