Kidd’s next chapter could move to ESPN
Jason Kidd’s next NBA chapter could look very different from the one fans have known. After leaving the Mavericks following five seasons as head coach, Kidd is now reportedly in advanced talks with ESPN about a studio analyst role.
His coaching résumé, championship experience and playing career could bring a unique perspective to NBA broadcasts. With no deal officially announced yet, the potential move is already creating plenty of interest around his future.
The Mavericks hired Dusty May
Dallas moved forward without Kidd by hiring Dusty May as its next head coach on June 23, 2026. May arrived after leading Michigan to the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball championship in his second season with the Wolverines.
The coaching change placed Kidd outside the Mavericks’ current basketball operation. May became responsible for leading a roster that includes 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Kidd’s coaching record remains notable
Kidd coached the Mavericks for five seasons after returning to the franchise in 2021. His Dallas tenure included two playoff appearances, with the team reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2024.
Before Dallas, Kidd coached the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks and worked as a Lakers assistant. He also was part of Los Angeles’ 2020 championship coaching staff.
His Dallas contract had just been extended
The Mavericks gave Kidd a multiyear contract extension on October 14, 2025, about seven months before his departure. The team did not disclose the financial terms when the extension was announced.
The extension came after Dallas denied the New York Knicks permission to speak with Kidd about their coaching vacancy. Kidd was ultimately removed after Masai Ujiri became Dallas’ president and governor.
Ujiri made the decision to move on
Masai Ujiri said the decision to move on from Kidd was his alone after he became the Mavericks’ president and alternate governor. Ujiri described the decision as difficult and said he believed the organization needed a clean slate.
Ujiri also said Kidd’s departure had nothing to do with the February 2025 trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks missed the playoffs in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
Kidd did not rule out coaching again
During an August 2026 appearance in the Philippines, Kidd said he would not say no to coaching again in the future. He also said he was enjoying time at home with his family while continuing to watch games.
Kidd said he still communicates with Jalen Brunson and Giannis Antetokounmpo about basketball. His comments left the possibility of another coaching job open without identifying a specific team or timeline.
A television opportunity has now emerged
Reports in October 2026 say ESPN is in advanced talks with Kidd about joining its NBA studio coverage. The reported role would place him on the network’s NBA Countdown programming as an analyst.
The discussions were reported by Marc Stein and subsequently by other sports-media reporters. ESPN had not publicly announced a completed agreement at the time of those reports.
Interesting fact: Jason Kidd was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill. He went on to become a 10-time NBA All-Star.
NBA Countdown has an opening
The reported ESPN opportunity follows Michael Malone’s April 2026 departure from NBA Countdown to become the men’s basketball head coach at the University of North Carolina.
Kidd would join an ESPN studio operation that has experienced several recent personnel changes. NBA Countdown’s 2025-26 coverage included Kendrick Perkins and Brian Windhorst, with Malika Andrews serving as host.
Interesting fact: Kidd won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, taking gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and again at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Kidd brings a long NBA résumé
Kidd spent 19 seasons as an NBA player and made 10 All-Star teams during his playing career. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
He won the 2011 NBA championship as a Mavericks player and later returned as the team’s head coach. His experience includes playing alongside stars and coaching several prominent NBA players.
He has television experience around basketball
Kidd has experience speaking publicly about basketball through media appearances, while the reported ESPN position would give him a new studio analyst role. The potential job would shift him from daily coaching responsibilities to televised NBA analysis.
A completed ESPN agreement has not been publicly announced in the reports currently available. For now, the reported talks are the development connecting Kidd to a potential television role.
His recent coaching exit came quickly
Kidd’s departure came about seven months after Dallas extended his contract and before the 2026-27 season began. The Mavericks changed coaches after Masai Ujiri became president and governor, with Dusty May replacing Kidd.
The timing makes his reported television discussions a significant next step in his career. It also follows Kidd’s August comments that he was enjoying time at home while remaining open to coaching again.
Kidd’s NBA experience fits studio analysis
Kidd has experience as both an NBA player and coach, giving him a long playing and coaching background. He played point guard for 19 seasons before moving into coaching shortly after his retirement.
His coaching career has included the Nets, Bucks and Mavericks, along with an assistant coaching role with the Lakers. That history provides experience with game preparation, player development and team strategy that could be relevant to studio analysis.
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The TV move is not yet official
As of October 11, 2026, reports say ESPN is in advanced talks with Kidd for an NBA studio analyst position. The reports do not establish that Kidd has signed a finalized contract with the network.
Kidd therefore remains a former Mavericks coach with a reported television opportunity rather than a confirmed ESPN employee. His next professional step will become clearer if ESPN formally announces an agreement.
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What do you think about Jason Kidd potentially moving from the Mavericks’ sideline to ESPN’s studio? Like this post and leave a comment with your take on Kidd’s next career move.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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