Future Hall of Fame player turned coach Jason Kidd has orchestrated a move to Milwaukee. The former Nets coach leaves Brooklyn after just one season to take over the head coaching position with the Bucks. The Bucks gave up two draft picks and fired coach Larry Drew in order to acquire Kidd.
The move came quickly after news broke Saturday night that Kidd had asked for a promotion in Brooklyn. After guiding the Nets to the second round of the playoffs, Kidd asked for a position above general manager Billy King, in addition to his head coaching duties.
The Nets denied Kidd the promotion and he was on the move Monday morning. Rumors swirled that Kidd was also unhappy with his salary after seeing Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher receive huge contracts as first year coaches.
Kidd signed a four year $10.5 million dollar contract last summer. He’ll inherit a Milwaukee Bucks team full of young players, including highly touted draft pick Jabari Parker. The Bucks have not discussed any additional roles for Kidd other than a coach. His position will not involve making personnel decisions.
Milwaukee’s co-owner Mark Lasry apparently interviewed Jason Kidd for the head coaching position without advising current Bucks GM John Hammond or former coach Larry Drew. One more angle in a strange saga that began with Kidd’s failed power play in Brooklyn.
The leading candidate to replace Jason Kidd in Brooklyn is former Memphis head man Lionel Hollins.
In meetings last week between Kidd and Milwaukee, the former all time great point guard said he wanted the challenge of coaching the young Bucks and developing Parker. Milwaukee came away from meetings impressed with Kidd’s ability to handle delicate egos last year in Brooklyn.
The Nets had hoped to receive a first round draft pick as compensation for Kidd, but ultimately settled for a pair of second rounders.
Kidd’s short tenure in Brooklyn was marked by strange incidents. During the team’s slow start, Kidd was fined $50,000 by the NBA for intentionally spilling his drink on the floor to earn a free timeout. Kidd also demoted assistant Lawrence Frank (his former coach) midway through the 2013-2014 season.
After leading Brooklyn to a gutty first round win over Toronto, Kidd and the Nets fell to eventual eastern conference champion Miami in round two.
Financial terms of Kidd’s agreement with Milwaukee have not been disclosed.
