The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of a fierce battle for playoff spots in the Western Conference. As of Friday, March 29, the Mavericks are the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. However, with about two weeks until the end of the regular season, things can change at any time.
The Mavericks' focus is on getting a top-six seed, but head coach Jason Kidd wants to remain head coach for the time being. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Kidd is “hoping to get his contract extension this summer.” Kidd is currently under contract through the 2024-2025 season.
The 51-year-old coach was hired by the Mavericks in 2021. That season, he immediately led his team to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011, when the Mavericks won the title. In his first season as Dallas' head coach, the Mavericks finished as the fourth seed in the West with a 52-30 record, but lost in five straight Western Conference Finals to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. was defeated.
Kidd also played a key role on the 2011 championship team. He, along with two-headed backcourt monsters Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, hope to bring Dallas another championship. Last season didn't go as planned as the team fell out of the top 10 of the West Division and ultimately missed the play-ins altogether. Kidd is not proud of that and will look for better results this postseason.
David Berding/Getty Images
The Mavericks have a roster on paper that can compete with the best teams in the league. They have a combination of experience and youth with rookie Derrick Lively II, veterans Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington traded at the trade deadline. This season is the wild, wild west, and that's the opportunity.
With Kidd at the helm, the Mavericks boast the sixth-best offense in the NBA with a rating of 117.9. Their defensive power is rated at 115.8, so it's not something to brag about. Jason Kidd's team doesn't have the best defense by any means, but hey, you know what he's doing on the offensive side of the ball.
The Mavericks have been playing good basketball thus far, with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. They have won five straight games and could finish in the top five in the West if this trend continues. If Kidd can lead this team to the top five and make another deep run in the playoffs, the Hall of Famer will be in Dallas for a long time.
rare knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.
