Jason Kidd

Hall of Fame point guard and head coach who led the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals.

Jason Frederick Kidd (born March 23, 1973) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time, Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA Team member, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. He won an NBA championship in 2011 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks and was a two-time gold medal winner in the Olympics with the U.S. national team in 2000 and 2008. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 for his individual career. In 2021, Kidd was honored as one of the league's greatest players by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Quick Facts

Born: 23 March 1973
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, U.S.
High school: St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda, California)
College: California (1992–1994)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 2
Drafted by: Dallas Mavericks
Career position: Point guard

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Jason Kidd play for the Nets franchise?

Kidd played point guard for the New Jersey Nets from 2001 until 2008. His tenure as a player spanned seven seasons before he eventually retired in 2013.

What is Jason Kidd's biggest achievement with the team?

He orchestrated the offense to lead the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. These runs remain the franchise's most successful playoff performances of that era.

Did Jason Kidd coach the Brooklyn Nets?

Yes, he returned to the organization immediately after retiring as a player to become their head coach in June 2013. He guided the team through its inaugural season following the relocation from New Jersey to Brooklyn.

How did Jason Kidd's relationship with the franchise evolve?

He transitioned from being a star player who defined the late 90s and early 2000s era to serving as the head coach in the new Brooklyn chapter. This unique path makes him one of the few figures to lead the team in both capacities.