Mavericks and Jason Kidd part ways after 205-205 record

The Mavericks and Jason Kidd mutually agreed to part ways Tuesday, ending a coaching tenure that began in 2021 and finished with a 205-205 regular-season record.

Kidd signed a multi-year contract extension just months ago, and owner Patrick Dumont had leaned on him after firing general manager Nico Harrison. The change came quickly after the team hired new president Masai Ujiri.

Ujiri evaluated a basketball operation that finished 26-56 this season and moved fast on his first major decision.

"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. "We are thankful for Jason’s leadership, his professionalism and his commitment to the team. In my short time here, I’ve developed an enormous amount of respect for what he has built. He will always be an important part of the Mavericks family."

The split leaves an open question about the development of Cooper Flagg. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year had built a strong working relationship with Kidd, who had spoken publicly about building the franchise’s next era around the young player. Ujiri chose a full reset instead.

Kidd’s five-year run in Dallas included a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and a run to the NBA Finals in 2024. Those highs gave way to sharp decline after the team traded Luka Dončić. Injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving followed, along with roster moves such as the addition of D’Angelo Russell. The Mavericks dropped from contenders to the bottom of the standings.

"As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team," Ujiri said. "We have high expectations for this franchise and a responsibility to build a basketball organization capable of sustained championship contention. We will conduct a thorough, disciplined search for our next head coach and continue to evaluate our entire basketball operations staff to ensure we compete at the standard Mavs fans expect and deserve."

As a player, Kidd remains tied to the franchise’s 2011 championship. The Mavericks now begin a search for their next head coach.