Jason Kidd was initially interviewed as a potential candidate for the Lakers’ head coaching position in the summer of 2019 (that seems like a lifetime ago), but eventually agreed to the top assistant coach position on the team. This was a result of the team hiring Frank Vogel to the head coach position after promising talks with Tyronn Lue fell short. Many wondered if Kidd would force his way into the head coach position if the Lakers started off slow (he’s reportedly done this in the past) but the Lakers started well with Kidd having to take his head coaching aspirations into the 2020-21 season.
Those types of jobs are now opening up as the NBA will kick off the playoffs on August 17th. Kidd was initially being reported as a likely candidate for the New York Knicks head coach position but lost out to former Timberwolves and Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. Kidd may not have to look much farther to find his next opportunity after failing with the Knicks, as he has now been reported as a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets head coach position (reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic below).
Several external candidates have emerged for the job, according to league sources: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, LA Clippers assistant Ty Lue and former Rockets and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.
Sources: The Brooklyn Nets will start a full head coaching search at end of season to choose who will lead Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and an expected title contender.
New details, candidates on @TheAthleticNBA: https://t.co/eK1BC1D6bu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2020
As you can see, Tyronn Lue is also reportedly in consideration for the position, causing the two coaches’ paths to cross yet again. The Nets have been without a permanent head coach since they shockingly fired Kenny Atkinson who had been with the team for four years. Jason Kidd will be looking for his first stint as head coach since he was let go by the Milwaukee Bucks, a move that was not liked by resident superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Nets will look to conduct the full search once their season is officially ended. They will enter the playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference and will — try — to take on the Toronto Raptors in the first-round.
