Jason Kidd Likely To Stay With The Mavericks While The Lakers Search For New Head Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham following a first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets. Amidst this uncertainty, reports suggest that Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is expected to receive a contract extension from Dallas, effectively taking him off the list of potential candidates for the Lakers.

Despite the possibility of a coaching vacancy with the Lakers, sources suggest that both Kidd and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue are unlikely to hit the coaching market anytime soon. Kidd, who has led the Mavericks to two 50-win seasons and three playoff series wins in his three seasons as head coach, is expected to sign an extension with Dallas. Similarly, the Lakers are not anticipating having the opportunity to pursue either Kidd or Lue as potential coaching candidates.

LeBron James, the Lakers’ star player, has not committed to returning to Los Angeles next season and has the option to opt out of his contract. Reports indicate that James was also considering heading back home to Cleveland and joining his hometown team as an assistant general manager under Dan Gilbert. However, sources close to James say he has decided against this move and will likely stay with the Lakers next season.

The Clippers were reportedly seeking to extend Lue’s contract to keep him with their team after winning an NBA championship together in 2019. However, after failing to make it out of the first round of this year’s playoffs, it seems that Lue may be on his way out as well. With no clear path forward for either Kidd or Lue, it appears that the search for a new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers will continue into free agency and beyond.