Though he hasn’t been nearly as successful as a coach as he was as a player, some NBA teams reportedly think Jason Kidd could be the key to becoming a championship-level team.
The reason? Kidd may have the ability to attract free-agent-to-be Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer.
Kidd, who parlayed a Hall-of-Fame playing career that ended in 2013 with the New York Knicks into a coaching career that began the same year with the Brooklyn Nets, coached Antetokounmpo for more than 3.5 seasons but was fired by the Bucks after Milwaukee began the 2017-18 season with a 23-22 record.
Though the team was just 139-152 with Kidd at the helm and lost in the first round both times the Bucks made the playoffs, Antetokounmpo is very fond of his former coach. According to Steve Popper of Newsday, that fondness may help land Kidd, who is currently an assistant with the Lakers, a new gig as a head coach.
I think this is still Thibodeau's job to lose – and I'd guess Giannis stays in Milwaukee. But it's a mistake to underestimate Kidd (and his relationships around the league) and the pursuit by a lot of teams next summer. https://t.co/s0sIR1w8Mg
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) June 22, 2020
The Greek Freak, who reportedly was “devastated” after Kidd was fired by the Bucks, credited his former coach with jumpstarting his career after the Bucks let him go.
“He’s a big part of my success in the league,” Antetokounmpo said in 2018. “I’m loyal to the people I work with. I love him as a person. I care about him as a person … I didn’t even know how the NBA worked. He trusted me. He put the ball in my hands. He pushed me to be great.”
Antetokounmpo, who may win his second straight MVP award in 2020, might be wise to reconsider reuniting with his old coach if that is in fact something he wants to do. Kidd, 47, has a 183-190 record overall as a head coach with the Nets and Bucks and his teams went just 9-15 combined in 24 playoff games.
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