Mavericks president Ujiri fires coach Kidd, finalising organisational overhaul
Team president Masai Ujiri cites need for new direction centred on Cooper Flagg, denying link to previous Luka Doncic trade
Dallas Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri has dismissed head coach Jason Kidd, concluding a comprehensive restructuring of the franchise’s basketball operations. The decision, announced on Tuesday, ends Kidd’s five-year tenure and follows the earlier termination of general manager Nico Harrison in November 2025. Ujiri, who assumed the presidency in May 2026, stated that the move was unrelated to the controversial February 2025 trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The dismissal completes a significant pivot for the Mavericks, who finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The organisation has systematically removed all key figures and assets associated with the Doncic trade. Anthony Davis, acquired in the initial blockbuster deal, played only 29 games for Dallas before being traded to the Washington Wizards at the 2026 trade deadline.
Ujiri emphasised that the coaching change is driven by a desire to establish a new strategic direction rather than reacting to past personnel decisions. “No, it did not play any part,” Ujiri said regarding the influence of the Doncic trade on the decision to part ways with Kidd. The team president holds total authority over basketball operations and is steering the franchise toward a youth movement.
The new focus of the organisation is 2026 Kia Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. Ujiri framed the transition as a generational shift, stating, “In Africa, we say when kings go, kings come. And a king went and we have a little prince here. Now we’re going to turn him into a king.” The incoming head coach will be tasked specifically with developing Flagg as the new centerpiece of the Dallas franchise.
To support this rebuild, Dallas holds the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Ujiri described the firing as a necessary step to create a clean slate for the basketball program. “As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team,” he said. The Mavericks are now positioned to build their roster around Flagg, marking the end of an era defined by the Doncic trade.
