ESPN Studio Talks
Former Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd is reportedly in talks for an ESPN studio role.
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Key Points
1
ESPN's studio vacancy followed Michael Malone's departure for the University of North Carolina.
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Kidd finished his five-season Mavericks coaching tenure with a 205-205 record and led the team to the 2024 NBA Finals, where it lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
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After general manager Nico Harrison was fired, Kidd reportedly expressed interest in becoming Dallas's president of basketball operations, but governor Patrick Dumont told him he would not be considered; Kidd was also not involved in the process that brought Masai Ujiri to the team.
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Kidd reportedly had four years and more than $40 million remaining on his contract when he and the Mavericks parted ways.
ESPN is in advanced talks to hire Jason Kidd as a studio analyst for its NBA coverage, according to multiple reports. Kidd departed the Dallas Mavericks in May after five seasons as head coach, finishing with a 205-205 record and leading the team to the 2024 NBA Finals, where it lost to the Boston Celtics.
The studio role offers Kidd a chance to remain involved in basketball with significantly less travel than coaching demands. Awful Announcing reports that ESPN is filling a vacancy left by Michael Malone's departure for the University of North Carolina.
How Kidd's Dallas Exit Led Here
Kidd's five-year tenure in Dallas ended abruptly after the Mavericks underwent a front-office overhaul. New president Masai Ujiri took over, and the team hired former Michigan coach Dusty May as the new head coach. Basketball RealGM reports Kidd was fired following Ujiri's hiring as president of basketball operations.
Kidd had reportedly sought the team's president of basketball operations role after general manager Nico Harrison was fired. Team governor Patrick Dumont told him he would not be considered for the position. Kidd also was excluded from the process that brought Ujiri to Dallas.
A Hall of Famer's Coaching Record in Dallas
Kidd compiled a 205-205 regular-season record across his five seasons with the Mavericks. His crowning achievement came in 2024 when he guided Dallas to the NBA Finals, an impressive turnaround for a franchise that had missed the playoffs in three of the four years before his arrival.
Despite the Finals loss to Boston, Kidd's tenure proved competitive until the sudden front-office transition. He brought championship experience from his Hall of Fame playing career and previous coaching stops with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
What Kidd Walked Away From in Dallas
When Kidd and the Mavericks parted ways, he had more than four years and $40 million remaining on his contract. The financial cushion gives him flexibility to choose his next move without immediate pressure. Kidd has said he remains open to coaching again but is currently prioritizing time with his family.
A studio analyst role aligns perfectly with Kidd's current priorities. He can leverage his extensive playing and coaching experience while maintaining a schedule that allows him to be present at home. The New York Times reports that ESPN is moving forward with Kidd as a studio analyst hire.
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