DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks president Masai Ujiri admitted Wednesday that firing coach Jason Kidd after five seasons was a difficult decision, one he took full responsibility for.

A day after the team announced Kidd's departure, Ujiri emphasized the need for a fresh start, stating, "What he's done for this organization we truly respect, so this was a very, very tough decision."

Accountability and Organizational Review

Ujiri, who took over as team president and governor two weeks ago, explained that the decision had nothing to do with the trade of Luka Doncic in February 2025. He emphasized the importance of being accountable and active in evaluating the organization from top to bottom.

When asked about Kidd's future at his introduction on May 5, Ujiri had been noncommittal, saying he would talk to Kidd while evaluating all aspects of the team. The Mavericks initially described the parting as a mutual decision.

The Kidd Era and Trade Fallout

The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals in 2024 under Kidd and Doncic, two years after losing to Golden State in the Western Conference finals. However, the trade of Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024-25, where he was swapped for Anthony Davis, backfired, leading to two consecutive seasons without playoff appearances.

Kidd, the Hall of Fame point guard who led the Mavericks to their only championship as a player in 2011, finished with a .500 regular-season coaching record (205-205) with the Mavs.