Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks have appointed Jason Kidd as head coach, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said in a statement yesterday.
Kidd becomes the 14th head coach of the franchise after the Brooklyn Nets freed him from his contract in exchange for a pair of second-round draft picks in 2015 and 2019.
He takes over from Larry Drew who was fired on Monday after leading the team to a 15-67 record in the first year of his three-year deal.
“Jason is a determined leader, a tough-minded competitor and a great team mate,” Bucks owners Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry said.
“We believe his focus, vision and intensity will help him...to rebuild the Milwaukee Bucks as we aspire to achieve excellence over the next several years. We are excited Jason will call Milwaukee his new home.”
Kidd, 41, guided the Nets to a 44-38 record last season and won a first-round playoff series against Toronto in the first campaign of his four-year deal.
The new Bucks coach was a 10-times All-Star during a stellar 19-year playing career as a point guard.
“In exchange for allowing Kidd to depart, the Nets will receive two second round draft picks (2015 & 2019) from Milwaukee,” the Nets said in a statement on their website.
A 10-time All Star during a glittering 19-year career as a point guard, Kidd was hired by the Nets as their head coach 12 months ago, soon after his retirement as a player.
Kidd had a successful playing stint with the Nets from 2001-2008, which featured successive appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, and was renowned for his intelligence, game management and leadership.
Milwaukee’s new ownership team of Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens met Kidd in New York on Friday, just one day after the 2014 NBA draft.
Kidd, who is friendly with Lasry, had been poised to enter the second season of a four-year, $10.5 million deal with the Nets.
Under his guidance, the team won their opening playoff round against the Toronto Raptors before losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Drew, who went a dismal 15-67 in his first season in Milwaukee, had two years left on his contract with the struggling Bucks before he was fired on Monday.
“Despite the challenging season, Larry always handled himself and represented the Bucks in a first-class manner,” Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a statement.
“Larry did the best he could in a difficult situation, especially given all of our injuries. I want to thank Larry for all of his efforts, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”