Jason Kidd never intended to leave the Mavericks for the Knicks.

DALLAS — Kidd Stays Loyal to Mavericks Amid Knicks Interest

Jason Kidd has reaffirmed his commitment to the Dallas Mavericks, although he expressed gratitude for the New York Knicks’ interest in him during the summer.

“I think it’s fair to say we all enjoy being wanted,” Kidd remarked. “So, that was a nice touch.”

The Knicks considered Kidd as a candidate to replace Tom Thibodeau, but the Mavericks didn’t allow him to interview for the position.

It has been reported that Kidd was indeed interested in the possibility of coaching the Knicks, especially with Jalen Brunson on the team. However, he stated otherwise on Wednesday, saying, “I never thought about leaving. I love Dallas and I love working in Dallas.” He acknowledged the journey ahead towards becoming a champion, indicating his dedication to the Mavericks. “I was drafted here, I won championships here, I love this city, I love the fans,” he added.

Using the interest from the Knicks, Kidd secured a contract extension with the Mavericks in October, just a few months after the Knicks appointed Mike Brown as their new head coach.

Reflecting on his past with the Knicks, Kidd noted that while he enjoyed his time there, he found more happiness being part of the Nets, particularly because the environment felt more vibrant. “I think that one year was fun… But when we played across the river in New Jersey, that place was so much fun because we owned it,” he said.

The Knicks had sought to interview Kidd, but they also faced blocks on other top candidates like Chris Finch, Quin Snyder, Billy Donovan, and Ime Udoka.

After interviewing at least five candidates, Mike Brown accepted the Knicks’ offer, reportedly for an average salary of $10 million, with considerable expectations of building a championship contender in a demanding media market.

“I wanted to win wherever I was, whether head coach or assistant,” Brown said, reflecting on his previous stints. “Expectations come first from the individual, and no one will exceed that individual’s expectations.” He underscored the inherent pressures of coaching in the NBA, saying, “And they should be. You’re getting paid a lot of money.”

Meanwhile, Kidd has been guiding the Mavericks through a challenging period, marked by the recent firing of team president Nico Harrison and an array of injuries affecting players. The team faced the Knicks with several key players missing, including Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Caleb Martin.