Mavericks part ways with coach Jason Kidd after 5 seasons

The Dallas Mavericks have parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd after five seasons, the team announced Tuesday. The move, described by the organization as mutual, marks a significant shift under new team president Masai Ujiri, who was hired two weeks ago.

Ujiri stated Wednesday that the final decision to remove Kidd was his alone, driven by a desire for a clean slate. He emphasized the move was unrelated to the franchise’s prior trade of superstar Luka Dončić. Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard who led the Mavericks to their only championship as a player in 2011, compiled a 205-205 regular-season record as head coach. His tenure included two deep playoff runs, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance in 2024.

The organization is now navigating the aftermath of major roster changes. During the 2024-25 season, the Mavericks traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that involved Anthony Davis, a move that reportedly backfired. Davis was later traded. The team missed the playoffs in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, finishing 26-56 this past year despite rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, winning Rookie of the Year.