3 coaches Mavericks should hire to keep Luka Doncic happy

Jason Kidd, Lakers

It is only fitting that Jason Kidd make this list. Kidd was a former second-overall selection by the Mavericks back in 1994, was ultimately traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1996 before returning to Dallas in 2008 to eventually win his first NBA title in 2011.

Sure, Kidd does not have the greatest head coaching record on his resume during his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks (183-190 overall), but he is a coach respected by players. He recently spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant under Frank Vogel and played a role in them winning the Larry O’Brien trophy last season. Now, he is a hot name on the coaching market.

After the Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets and chose to part ways with head coach Terry Stotts, star Damian Lillard told Yahoo Sports that he wanted Jason Kidd to replace Stotts. Kidd ultimately withdrew his name from consideration for the Trail Blazers job.

If you wanted further proof of Kidd being respected by players, LeBron James reportedly said back in 2020 that Kidd is “the only person alive who sees the game of basketball with his level of clarity,” per ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz. That is some rather lofty praise by arguably the best player in the NBA.

A reunion with Kidd makes too much sense for the Mavericks. Not to mention he could thrive coaching up Doncic.

Chauncey Billups, Clippers

Perhaps the most popular name in the NBA’s head coaching search is Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, and for good reason.

Billups’ name popped up in the carousel last offseason, but he ended up joining the Clippers to work with head coach Tyronn Lue. In his first year as a coach, he worked with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to work on their play-making abilities. George was mocked for his lack of success in the NBA Playoffs, but he has silenced the haters with his improved play.

George has stepped up once Leonard went down with an ACL injury and helped lead the Clippers to a huge Game 5 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. In a recent ESPN article by Ramona Shelburne, George credited Billups for having a major influence on his game.

If Billups can help George shed his previously bad playoff reputation, just imagine what he can do with a player the caliber of Doncic. If the Mavericks are serious about bringing in Billups as their next head coach, they may have to outbid the other teams looking for a new sideline boss.