NBA insider Shams Charania claimed in mid-June that the Dallas Mavericks declined the New York Knicks' request to interview Jason Kidd. The Knicks, who failed to find a like-to-like replacement for Tom Thibodeau, wanted to know if the legendary point guard was available. Kidd avoided answering questions about that news until the Mavericks hosted the Knicks on Wednesday.
Jason Kidd respects Dallas Mavericks' decision
When questioned about the Knicks' interest in him, Kidd responded:
“It was denied, but I was never thinking about leaving Dallas. I love Dallas. I love working for Patrick. We have a lot of work to be done, to be a champion, and I’m all in to be able to do that. I was drafted here. I won here. I love the city. I love the fans. It never crossed my mind to leave Dallas.”
Jason Kidd's career with Mavericks as a player
Jason Kidd featured for the Mavericks in the mid-90s before returning to lead the franchise to win the 2011 championship. He played for eight seasons with the Mavericks.
Jason Kidd's coaching career
In the 2021 season, the Mavs lured Kidd away from the LA Lakers to make him their coach. The legendary guard led the side to the 2022 Western Conference finals, where they faced defeat to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. Kidd's best season happened two years later when he guided the franchise to the 2024 NBA finals.
Jason Kidd penned a multi-year extension with the Mavericks in early October this year.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks went for Mike Brown a month after they failed to secure an interview with Kidd.
Nico Harrison kept Luka Donic's trade a secret to Jason Kidd
Two days after the shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers, former Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison interacted with the media. Along with Jason Kidd in the press conference, Harrison responded when questioned about Kidd's involvement in the deal that shocked the sporting world:
“We kept it between us, we had to. We had to keep it tight. J-Kidd didn’t know about it. But J-Kidd and I are aligned, and we talk about archetypes and we talk about the culture that we want to create. So I know the type of players that he likes without actually talking to him.”
Jason Kidd thought of winning a championship for the Mavericks as a coach, but he thought he would achieve it with Luka Doncic. He can still achieve the goal, but he must change his tactics now that the Slovenian player is in Lakers. Kidd could still reach the goal with Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.