Mavericks part ways with Kidd following Ujiri appointment
Jason Kidd’s departure follows the appointment of Masai Ujiri, who was granted full authority over staff decisions amid a period of significant roster and management upheaval.
The Dallas Mavericks have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd after five seasons, a move that coincides with the arrival of new president Masai Ujiri. The team announced the decision on Tuesday evening, confirming that Ujiri, who was granted full authority to determine the future of the coaching staff, has opted for a change in leadership.
Kidd remains under contract for four years and more than $40 million. However, Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, who had previously extended Kidd’s contract during the franchise’s 2024 NBA Finals run, has ceded control of personnel decisions to Ujiri. Sources told ESPN that Kidd had sought a promotion to president of basketball operations following the dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison in November, but was informed months ago that he would not be considered for the front office.
The transition comes amid significant organisational turbulence, including the controversial trade of star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025. The deal, which sent Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for a package headlined by Anthony Davis, was described as a disastrous pivot that ultimately led to Harrison’s firing eight months later. Kidd has insisted he was unaware of the trade until “the 11th hour,” contradicting accusations from minority owner Mark Cuban that the coach was directly involved in the decision.
Ujiri, who held an introductory news conference on May 5, remained noncommittal regarding the coaching position during his initial remarks but emphasised a comprehensive review of the franchise. “He’s done a great job, but we are going to look at this thing from head to toe,” Ujiri said, noting his precedent of retaining coaches such as George Karl and Dwane Casey when assuming leadership roles in Denver and Toronto.
Statistically, Kidd’s tenure was defined by his partnership with Doncic, with the team posting a 136-87 record when the star was in the lineup compared to 69-118 without him. Dallas advanced to the Western Conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2024 under Kidd. The roster has since been further reshaped, with Davis traded to the Washington Wizards at the deadline to create financial flexibility for a rebuild centred on Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year.
