Kidd Stays Put? Why the Mavericks Think He's Dodging the Knicks Drama

Mavericks Confident Jason Kidd Will Stay, Despite Knicks Interest

The Dallas Mavericks are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Despite swirling rumors linking head coach Jason Kidd to a potential move to the New York Knicks, sources within the Mavericks organization express strong confidence that the Hall of Famer will remain in Dallas for the upcoming season.

The speculation arose after the Knicks surprisingly parted ways with Tom Thibodeau last week, creating a head coaching vacancy that immediately piqued Kidd's interest. The Athletic reported the Knicks' interest, but the Mavericks are actively working to ensure he stays put.

Here's what we know:

• The Knicks have yet to formally request permission to speak with Kidd, according to a team source as of Tuesday afternoon.
• The Mavericks are privately assuring key stakeholders that Kidd is not going anywhere.
• The widely held belief is that Kidd is leveraging the Knicks' interest to secure a lucrative contract extension with Dallas.

Of course, the situation isn't without precedent. In 2012, at the end of his illustrious playing career, Kidd was expected to re-sign with the Mavericks. However, he abruptly changed course and signed with the Knicks.

However, this time, the Mavericks are confident history won't repeat itself. Several factors suggest Kidd is committed to Dallas:

• Kidd has been actively involved in the Mavericks' offseason workouts.
• Negotiations with Jay Triano, former Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns head coach, for a lead assistant-coaching position have been progressing smoothly.

A league source revealed that Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison assured Triano that Kidd would remain the head coach, solidifying Kidd's position within the organization. Triano has since agreed to terms on the assistant position on Tuesday.
Triano has spent the past three years as a Sacramento Kings assistant and it seems as though he has found a place here. In September, he was promoted to associate head coach. The Kings fired his boss Mike Brown in December and tapped Doug Christie for their head-coaching position.

The Knicks are currently the only NBA team with a head-coaching vacancy. They let go of Thibodeau despite his relatively successful tenure, which included leading them to the playoffs in four of his five years and reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years this past spring.
Kidd, who was considered for the Knicks' head coaching job in 2020, also has a strong connection with New York's star point guard, Jalen Brunson. He coached Brunson during the 2021-22 season with the Mavericks. Brunson's impressive performance in the 2022 playoffs earned him a lucrative four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks.

Despite the allure of a potential Kidd-Brunson reunion, the Mavericks are downplaying the possibility. Internally, the belief in Dallas is unwavering: Jason Kidd will be the team's coach next season.

Ultimately, while the Knicks' interest may have served as a catalyst for Kidd to secure a better deal in Dallas, it appears the Mavericks have successfully navigated the situation. Keeping Kidd is crucial for maintaining stability and building upon the progress made last season. It demonstrates a commitment to the current direction of the team and offers a sense of reassurance to players and fans alike. The focus can now firmly remain on improving the roster and contending for a championship.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6417678/2025/06/10/jason-kidd-mavericks-knicks-head-coaching-job/