With the Mavericks closing in on hiring a new general manager, Jason Kidd has emerged as a frontrunner to be Dallas's next coach, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and the soon-to-be hired general manager have been in discussions about the team's coaching candidates. Kidd has gained the support of Mavricks legend Dirk Nowitzki and others advising Cuban, per MacMahon.
Kidd, now an assistant coach for the Lakers, played four seasons with the Mavericks and helped Dallas win its first NBA title in 2011. Former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who was hired as the Pacers new coach on Thursday, made a strong endorsement for Kidd to be the next head coach for the Mavericks.