DALLAS — With training camp underway and expectations high, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd offered his perspective on a revamped coaching staff, a promising rookie in Cooper Flagg, and what lies ahead for the team this season.
Kidd didn’t shy away from addressing the sweeping changes made to his coaching bench this offseason, calling it “rare” to overhaul an entire staff but emphasizing that departures weren’t about dysfunction—they were about opportunity.
“Guys didn’t just jump ship,” Kidd explained. “This was about growth—climbing the ladder. When people leave for head coaching jobs or bigger roles, it means we’re doing something right.”
Former assistants Alex Jensen, who took a collegiate head coaching job at Utah, and others who landed in San Antonio and Denver, were prime examples of that success. But Kidd sees the incoming staff as a major upgrade. The Mavericks added longtime NBA minds Frank Vogel and Jay Triano—both former head coaches with championship pedigrees.
“To have Frank and Jay here in Dallas is huge,” Kidd said. “They bring leadership, experience, and a championship mindset. That matters.”
Kidd also highlighted the return of former teammate God Shammgod, affectionately called “Papai,” who now brings both playing and coaching championship experience to the bench.
“It’s a bench full of knowledge now,” he said. “And I’m excited about what that can do for our group.”
Much of the preseason buzz has surrounded rookie Cooper Flagg. While media narratives swirl around Flagg’s future and perceived pressure, Kidd was quick to clarify the team’s approach.
“We’re not asking Cooper to carry the weight of the Dallas Mavericks,” Kidd said. “We’re asking him to be Cooper Flagg—and that’s already something special.”
Kidd dismissed talk of juggling “two timelines” with veterans and youth, saying the focus is singular: the present.
“There’s only one timeline—and that’s winning,” he said. “Everyone, from coaches to players, is here to get better today.”
The team will also head north this preseason, with a game scheduled in Vancouver. For most players, it’ll be their first time there, but not for Kidd—or for Jay Triano, who is a native of Canada.
“It’s a bit of a homecoming for JT,” Kidd joked. “Which means he’s picking up the dinner tab.”
Health was another focal point. Kidd confirmed that Kyrie Irving, returning from an ACL injury, is already participating in full practices.
“It’s an exciting time,” Kidd said. “And hopefully, we can keep saying that throughout camp.”
With a deeper bench—both on the floor and the sidelines—Kidd believes the Mavericks are poised to make noise this season. One thing’s clear: Dallas isn’t looking behind or too far ahead. They’re locked in on now.
