Despite Knicks interest, Jason Kidd affirms unwavering commitment to Dallas. He loves the city, the franchise, and is dedicated to championship aspirations.
DALLAS — Jason Kidd acknowledged the New York Knicks’ offseason interest in him but insisted he never considered leaving the Dallas Mavericks, even as the team’s mounting injuries and early-season struggles continued with a 113–111 loss to New York on Wednesday night.
The Knicks sought permission to interview Kidd for their coaching vacancy, but the Mavericks denied the request. With Dallas entering the night at 4–11 and dealing with significant roster turmoil, the subject resurfaced ahead of tipoff — and Kidd addressed it directly.
Before the game, Kidd reflected on the Knicks’ courtship and admitted one part of it was hard to ignore.
He said the feeling of being pursued wasn’t lost on him.
“I think it’s safe to say we all enjoy being wanted,” Kidd said. “So that was a nice touch.”
Reports throughout the summer indicated the interest was mutual, suggesting Kidd was intrigued by the idea of coaching in New York and reuniting with Jalen Brunson. On Wednesday, he pushed back on that notion, emphasizing that his focus remained with the Mavericks throughout the process.
When asked why he stayed, Kidd pointed to his long history with the city and the franchise that drafted him.
“I never was thinking about leaving. I love Dallas, I love working for Patrick [Dumont],” Kidd said. “Understanding that we have a lot of work to be done to be a champion. 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, so it never crossed my mind to leave Dallas.”
Kidd ultimately agreed to a contract extension in October, ending any speculation that he might consider opportunities elsewhere. The timing aligned with the Knicks hiring their new coach, closing the book on discussions that began months earlier.
Wednesday’s matchup offered another reminder of how volatile the Mavericks’ early season has been. The organization recently fired team president Nico Harrison, leaving the front office in transition. On the court, injuries have stretched the roster thin and complicated Kidd’s rotations on a nightly basis.
Dallas played without Cooper Flagg (illness), Anthony Davis (calf strain), Kyrie Irving (ACL surgery), Caleb Martin (illness), and Danté Exum (knee injury), contributing to the team’s inability to sustain consistency during the first month of the season.
In revisiting the summer discussion, Kidd also reflected on his brief time playing for the Knicks at the end of his career, but made clear that those memories don’t outweigh where he believes he belongs now.
He offered a restrained look back at his final playing season at Madison Square Garden.
“I would say I enjoyed that one year [with the Knicks]. The car ran out of gas at the end. I had to park it,” Kidd said. “But I really enjoyed that place when I played on the other side of the river in New Jersey, because we owned it.”
For Kidd, the Knicks’ interest may have provided a moment of flattery, but not temptation. With the Mavericks searching for stability amid injuries, front-office turnover and a difficult start, he made clear his intention is to steer the team forward rather than look elsewhere.