Jason Kidd

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Lore & Background

Kidd played college basketball for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 1994 NBA draft as the second overall pick. He was named co-NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Mavericks, along with Grant Hill. Then, from 1996 to 2001, Kidd played for the Phoenix Suns and later for the New Jersey Nets from 2001 to 2008. He led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. In the middle of the 2007–08 season, Kidd was traded back to Dallas. At age 38, Kidd won his only NBA championship when Dallas defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. He finished his playing career in 2013 with the New York Knicks. Kidd's ability to pass and rebound made him a regular triple-double threat. Upon his retirement, he ranked third in NBA history for career regular season triple-doubles with 107 and third in career playoff triple-doubles with 11. As of 2025, he ranks second on both the NBA all-time list in career assists and the NBA all-time list in career steals. In June 2013, Kidd was hired as the head coach of the Nets, who had relocated from New Jersey to Brooklyn. After one season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he coached for four seasons until he was fired mid-season in 2018. After a season off, he was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2020; he reunited with the Mavericks organization in 2021 to become the franchise's head coach, reaching the Western Conference finals in his first season and reaching the 2024 NBA Finals in his third season.

In Their Own Story

The Nets' run to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 stands as a defining moment in franchise history. Under Kidd's direction from 2001 to 2008, the team achieved what no other New Jersey Nets squad had done before: consecutive trips to the league's final stage. These runs showcased Kidd's unique ability to elevate his teammates and execute under pressure. His presence on the court provided a steady hand that allowed the Nets to compete with the league's best. The 2001 acquisition of Kidd sparked this resurgence, leading to a culture of resilience. Although they did not secure the championship during these runs, reaching two Finals in a row remains the pinnacle of success for the franchise during its New Jersey era.

Reader's Guide

Jason Kidd is a Hall of Fame point guard known for his passing, rebounding, and triple-double prowess. He led the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, and later became a head coach for the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks.

Did You Know?

• Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.
• He won an NBA championship in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks.
• Kidd led the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.
• He ranks second all-time in career assists and career steals as of 2025.
• Kidd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.