DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks welcomed back former point guard Jason Kidd as their coach Monday along with new general manager Nico Harrison.
Kidd returns to the Mavericks nine years after backing out on an oral agreement to re-sign in free agency for what ended up being his final season as a player in 2012-13. Kidd finished his career with the New York Knicks.
The floor leader for Dallas' only championship in 2011 is replacing his coach from that team, Rick Carlisle. The winningest coach in franchise history resigned June 17, a day after general manager Donnie Nelson's departure was announced.
The 48-year-old Kidd inherits a team with a young superstar in point guard Luka Doncic, but without a playoff series victory since the 2011 NBA Finals. Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round for the second consecutive season.
“Dallas has meant so much to me as a player and I want to thank (owner) Mark Cuban for the opportunity to return as a head coach,” Kidd said. “I am excited to get to work with this young, hungry and incredibly talented team and to continue to build a winning legacy for the Mavericks organization.”
Kidd became a head coach immediately after his Hall-of-Fame career, leading Brooklyn to the second round of the playoffs in his debut in 2013-14.
Milwaukee gave up two second-round draft picks to lure Kidd away from the Nets. A 10-time All-Star and two-time Olympic champion as a player, Kidd was fired with the Bucks languishing around .500 with high expectations in 2017-18.