Jason Kidd Likely To Be Named Brooklyn Nets Head Coach

Jason Kidd retired from the NBA this June after 19 seasons, but it appears he isn’t going far as the Brooklyn Nets are likely to name him as their next head coach.

The Nets reportedly completed a five-hour interview with Brian Shaw, but it seems that Kidd has won over the Nets ownership instead. Though he has no prior coaching experience, Kidd has been viewed as an intelligent player with an excellent command of the game.

The Nets fired P.J. Carlesimo despite going 35-19 this year after taking over for the fired Avery Johnson. The Nets lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Chicago Bulls. Kidd and the New York Knicks lost in the second round to the Indiana Pacers.

One source told ESPN that the job is Kidd’s to have, and another added, “I would be stunned if Jason did not get it.”

Jason Kidd reportedly met with Nets general manager Billy King, selling him on the idea of bringing on former Nets and Detroit Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank as a lead assistant. Frank would provide Kidd with help while he learns the ropes.

Jason Kidd had another inside track for the Nets coaching job — the team’s star point guard, Deron Williams. The two have been close friends, with Kidd serving as something of a mentor for the fellow guard.

But there are still some concerns about whether Kidd could make the immediate jump from playing to coaching, a move few have pulled.“There are some hurdles to overcome … Kidd — with no coaching experience at age 40 — only would be considered if he could assemble ‘an All-Star cast’ of veteran assistants to support him,” a source said.

During his 19-year career Jason Kidd was co-Rookie of the Year and 10-time All Star, ending second all-time in assists. He won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks and helped lead Team USA to two Olympic gold medals. A longtime guard for the New Jersey Nets, Kidd helped lead the team to two NBA Finals appearances.