Jason Kidd’s firing removes one of Kyrie Irving’s closest NBA relationships and creates new uncertainty around Dallas’ long term plans.
The Dallas Mavericks announced Tuesday evening that they have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd, ending a five-year tenure that included a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2022 and an NBA Finals run in 2024.
Kidd still had four years and more than $40 million remaining on his contract. New team president Masai Ujiri made the decision, and governor Patrick Dumont reportedly gave full authorization for the move. Dallas now begins a coaching search that could reshape the franchise’s direction around Cooper Flagg.
But beyond the search itself, the biggest question raised by Kidd’s departure may involve Kyrie Irving’s future.
Kidd and Irving’s relationship stretches back decades. Irving grew up in New Jersey watching Kidd lead the Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 and the two built a close relationship over time. Irving even attended Kidd’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
When Irving requested a trade from Brooklyn in 2023, Dallas became his preferred landing spot largely because of Kidd’s presence. That relationship mattered again when Irving re signed on a three year, $120 million contract.
Kidd was widely viewed as one of the stabilizing influences throughout Irving’s time in Dallas, helping create the most drama free stretch of Irving’s NBA career compared to previous stops in Boston and Brooklyn. That dynamic no longer exists.
Now Irving enters a critical stage of his career returning from a torn ACL with one year left on his contract and no head coach in place. Before the injury, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while continuing to operate as one of the league’s elite offensive creators.
For contenders searching for another star scorer, an expiring Irving contract would immediately become attractive if Dallas ever entertained trade discussions.
Ujiri publicly emphasized his belief in the Irving and Flagg pairing during his introductory press conference earlier this month.
“I dream like you dream, man. All of us dream. I want to see that,” Ujiri said. “I think it’s going to be pretty cool, and I know it’s going to help Cooper because Kyrie likes to play off the ball too.”
That vision likely remains the organization’s preferred path.
Still, coaching fit matters significantly for Irving. Few star players place more value on trust and personal relationships with coaches than he does. If Dallas hires someone Irving connects with, the partnership around Flagg could still become the foundation of the franchise’s next era.
If that relationship never fully develops, however, the situation could shift quickly. Irving’s expiring contract would carry major value ahead of the 2027 trade deadline, particularly for teams looking to make a championship push.
Either way, Kidd’s departure instantly transformed Irving’s future into one of the defining storylines of Dallas’ offseason.
