DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have mutually parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd, ending his five-year tenure and signalling a major reset for the franchise under new basketball leadership.
The team announced the decision on Monday, saying it would immediately begin a comprehensive search for its next head coach. Kidd’s exit is the first major move under newly appointed president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who said the organisation had decided it was time to move in a new direction.
“Jason has had a meaningful impact on the Dallas Mavericks, both as a Hall of Fame player and as the head coach who helped lead this franchise back to the NBA Finals,” Ujiri said in a statement. “We are thankful for Jason’s leadership, his professionalism and his commitment to the team.”
Kidd, 53, leaves after a turbulent but notable coaching spell in Dallas. He guided the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and to the NBA Finals in 2024, restoring the franchise to championship relevance during the Luka Dončić era. However, the team’s progress stalled in recent seasons amid roster instability, front-office changes and disappointing results.
The 2025–26 campaign proved especially difficult. Dallas finished 26–56 after the high-profile trade of Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that reshaped the team’s direction and intensified scrutiny of the franchise’s leadership. Kidd finished his Mavericks tenure with a 205–205 regular-season record.
Kidd signed a contract extension last offseason and reportedly still had four years and more than $40 million remaining on his deal, underscoring the significance of the decision to move on.
Ujiri said the Mavericks have “high expectations” and a responsibility to build an organisation capable of sustained championship contention. He added that the franchise would conduct a thorough and disciplined search for Kidd’s replacement while continuing to evaluate the wider basketball operations structure.
The coaching change comes as Dallas attempts to reorient its future around a new core, including rising star Cooper Flagg, while repairing trust with fans after a period of upheaval. Ujiri’s arrival, alongside new general manager Mike Schmitz, is expected to bring a more unified long-term vision to the franchise.
Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard who helped Dallas win the 2011 NBA championship as a player, later thanked the organisation, players and fans in a public message, saying he leaves with gratitude and respect.
His departure closes another chapter in Mavericks history and begins a critical offseason for a franchise seeking stability, credibility and a return to contention.
