Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jason Kidd

How Jason Kidd built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jason Kidd is a highly decorated American basketball coach and former player, currently coaching the Dallas Mavericks. As a player, he was a dominant point guard, earning 10 All-Star selections, six All-NBA Team nods, and nine All-Defensive Team honors. He secured an NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011 and two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Kidd's contributions to basketball have been recognized with two inductions into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: Drafted by the Dallas Mavericks

In 1994, Jason Kidd was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round as the second overall pick.

1994: Enters the NBA Draft

Jason Kidd opted to enter the NBA draft in 1994.

1996: Trade to Phoenix Suns

During the 1996–97 season, Jason Kidd was traded to the Phoenix Suns with Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer.

1997: First Full Season with Phoenix Suns

In his first full season with the Phoenix Suns, in 1997–98, the team's win total improved by 16 games.

1999: Suns Acquire Penny Hardaway

Before the start of the 1999–00 season, the Phoenix Suns acquired Penny Hardaway, hoping to create the best backcourt duo in the league.

1999: Participated in USA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 1999, Jason Kidd participated in the USA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where the team finished with a 10-0 record, winning a gold medal and earning a spot at the 2000 Olympics.

2000: Named Tri-Captain and Wins Gold at Sydney Olympics

In 2000, Jason Kidd was appointed as one of Team USA's tri-captains for the 2000 Olympics at Sydney, where he led the team to an undefeated 8-0 record and a gold medal.

2000: Playoff Advancement with Suns

In 2000, despite injuries, Jason Kidd helped the Phoenix Suns beat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in his career.

June 28, 2001: Trade to the New Jersey Nets

On June 28, 2001, Jason Kidd, along with Chris Dudley, was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman, and Soumaila Samake after five seasons in Phoenix.

2001: Joins the New Jersey Nets

In 2001, Jason Kidd began playing for the New Jersey Nets.

November 2002: Selected for USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team, Withdraws Due to Injury

In November 2002, Jason Kidd was selected to participate in the 2002 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team but had to withdraw due to an injury.

2002: NBA Finals Appearance with the Nets

In 2002, Jason Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals.

2003: NBA Finals Appearance with the Nets

In 2003, Jason Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to their second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

2003: Participates in FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2003, Jason Kidd participated in the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico, leading the team to a 10-0 record, a gold medal, and a berth at the 2004 Olympics.

2003: Kidd Stays with the Nets

In the 2003 offseason, Jason Kidd decided to stay with the New Jersey Nets on a 6-year, $99 million deal as an unrestricted free agent.

2004: Withdraws from Olympic Team Due to Injury

In 2004, Jason Kidd had to withdraw from the Olympic team due to another injury.

2007: Participated in FIBA Americas Championship

In 2007, Jason Kidd participated in the FIBA Americas Championship, helping the team achieve a 10-0 record, winning a gold medal, and securing a berth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

2007: Traded back to Dallas

In the middle of the 2007-08 season, Jason Kidd was traded back to the Dallas Mavericks.

January 28, 2008: Kidd's agent discusses trade with Nets

On January 28, 2008, Jason Kidd revealed that his agent had been in talks with the Nets' front office regarding a potential trade.

February 13, 2008: Mavericks and Nets reach trade agreement

On February 13, 2008, the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets initially agreed on a trade involving Jason Kidd and Malik Allen, but the trade fell through due to contract issues.

February 19, 2008: Kidd traded to Dallas Mavericks

On February 19, 2008, Jason Kidd was traded back to the Dallas Mavericks, the team that originally drafted him.

2008: Earned Berth at 2008 Olympics

In 2007, Jason Kidd participated in the FIBA Americas Championship, helping the team to earn a berth at the 2008 Olympics.

2008: Wins Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympics

In 2008, Jason Kidd participated in the 2008 Olympics where the team went undefeated, winning their first gold medal since the 2000 Olympics, earning the "Redeem Team" moniker.

2008: Traded back to Dallas

In 2008, Jason Kidd was traded back to the Dallas Mavericks during the season.

July 5, 2009: Kidd commits to re-signing with Mavericks

On July 5, 2009, Jason Kidd verbally committed to re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks after being heavily pursued by the New York Knicks, with the three-year deal worth over $25 million.

June 12, 2011: Kidd wins NBA Championship with Mavericks

On June 12, 2011, Jason Kidd won his first and only NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks, defeating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

2011: NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks

At age 38, in 2011, Jason Kidd won his only NBA championship when the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

July 12, 2012: Kidd signs with New York Knicks

On July 12, 2012, Jason Kidd signed with the New York Knicks on a 3-year deal after initially planning to re-sign with the Mavericks.

June 3, 2013: Kidd retires from the NBA

On June 3, 2013, Jason Kidd announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons.

June 12, 2013: Kidd named head coach of Brooklyn Nets

On June 12, 2013, Jason Kidd was named the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, succeeding interim coach P. J. Carlesimo.

September 2013: Kidd buys minority ownership stake in Nets

In September 2013, Jason Kidd purchased a minority ownership stake in the Brooklyn Nets from Jay-Z.

2013: Retirement from Playing Career

In 2013, Jason Kidd finished his playing career with the New York Knicks.

July 1, 2014: Bucks acquire Kidd's coaching rights

On July 1, 2014, the Milwaukee Bucks obtained Jason Kidd's coaching rights from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for two second-round draft picks in 2015 and 2019.

November 19, 2014: Kidd's return to Brooklyn

On November 19, 2014, Jason Kidd was met with boos and jeers upon his return to Brooklyn as the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

January 22, 2018: Bucks fire Kidd

On January 22, 2018, the Milwaukee Bucks fired Jason Kidd after the team posted a 23-22 record midway through the 2017-18 season.

2018: Fired by the Milwaukee Bucks

Mid-season in 2018, Jason Kidd was fired from his head coach position with the Milwaukee Bucks.

July 31, 2019: Hired as Assistant Coach by the Los Angeles Lakers

On July 31, 2019, Jason Kidd was hired as an assistant coach by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2020: NBA Championship as Assistant Coach for Lakers

In 2020, Jason Kidd won an NBA championship as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

2020: Second NBA Championship

In 2020, Jason Kidd won his second NBA championship when the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games during the NBA Finals, marking his first championship as a coach.

June 28, 2021: Hired as Head Coach of the Dallas Mavericks

On June 28, 2021, Jason Kidd was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, succeeding Rick Carlisle.

2021: Returns to Mavericks as Head Coach

In 2021, Jason Kidd reunited with the Dallas Mavericks organization to become the franchise's head coach.

2022: Mavericks reach Western Conference Finals

In 2022, Kidd led the Mavericks to their first two playoff series wins since their 2011 NBA championship, defeating the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.