With Jason Kidd shockingly parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks, the Hall of Fame point guard is suddenly available for hire. While the Milwaukee Bucks won't be hiring Kidd to be their head coach, perhaps they could look to poach him as their lead assistant if he does not get any offers over the next few months. His close ties to Giannis Antetokounmpo would make it worthwhile.
Jason Kidd and Antetokounmpo go way back
Kidd was essential in helping forge the Giannis who plays today, coaching him early in his career. Their relationship was so strong that when the Bucks dismissed Kidd in 2018, Giannis tried to get involved by offering to call his agent or ownership in an effort to get the team to change its mind, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Giannis would likely love to have Kidd back in town in some capacity. With so much chatter about the Greek Freak's future with the Bucks being up in the air, trying to bring in Kidd to appease him feels like a total Milwaukee move. The organization has bent over backward to keep Giannis happy over these past few years, and this would be another move in that regard.
Kidd would be a great fit in Milwaukee (as an assistant)
Soon, Taylor Jenkins, hired by Milwaukee weeks ago to be their next head coach, will put together his coaching staff. Nothing is set in stone, so Jenkins will have options. If he could get Kidd on his staff as his lead assistant, it would be massive. Having a coach of his stature bring battle-earned experience to this team from day one, giving Jenkins an excellent right-hand man.
By making Taylor Jenkins one of the richest coaches in the entire NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown that they are not afraid to spend big. If Kidd became open to an assistant role, there is little doubt that the Bucks would throw a nice number his way to come aboard. It wouldn't guarantee an extra year of Giannis, but even without the Greek Freak, Kidd would be a great addition.
Before any of that, the current head coaching cycle needs to settle. Plenty of teams still have to find their next leading voice. A suitor worth keeping an eye on is the Orlando Magic, as insider Marc Stein reports that they had eyes on Kidd before he took the Dallas job in 2021. It remains to be seen if that interest is still there, but a head-coaching gig is obviously more desirable than an assistant job.
For now, the Milwaukee Bucks should absolutely keep tabs on Kidd's situation.
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