Jason Kidd 'Hopeful' for Contract Extension as Dallas Mavs Morph Into Title Contender

Jason Kidd is reportedly "hopeful" for a contract extension this summer, but the chances of that happening might hinge on how the Dallas Mavericks perform in the NBA Playoffs.

Mar 9, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd talks to guard Luka / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks are in a much more favorable position than they were on Feb. 3 when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks and fell to 26-23 on the season. Since that point, the Mavs have gone 17-6, and they've won nine of their last 10 games heading into Friday night's rematch with the Sacramento Kings.

This surge from Dallas in the second half of the season has not only boosted Luka Doncic's MVP chances, but it also reportedly has Mavs head coach Jason Kidd "hopeful" for a contract extension in the offseason.

"Doncic, who is in the thick of the MVP race yet again, is leading a team that has been dominant of late," The Athletic's Sam Amick wrote. "Irving, who gives Doncic much-needed balance on the offensive end, is playing beautiful basketball. And Kidd, league sources say, is hopeful that he can secure an extension this summer. (He is signed through next season.)"

Mar 9, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd talks to guard Luka / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Although Kidd has quirks that can annoy the Mavs' fan base at times, there's no doubting his ability to coach defense when he has players on the roster capable of playing on that end. When the Mavs had the best versions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock during the 2022 playoffs, they were able to play hard-nosed defense and made it to the Western Conference Finals before a lack of frontcourt depth doomed them against the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.

After a disappointing 2022-23 season that saw the Mavs miss the playoffs, Dallas is finally in a spot to make another deep playoff run while getting the most out of what Kidd does best. From the offseason additions of Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr., to the trade acquisitions of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, the makeup of the Mavs' roster is night-and-day difference from the down year that happened after that West Finals run.

"This team is amazing,"Gafford said on the latest episode of Top Shelf with Devin Harris. "We've got a lot of depth [and] we've got a lot of fire in our hearts for sure, night in and night out. I see us going all the way to the finals, most definitely just because of the simple fact when I first got here, I felt comfortable instantly. It's like I was the peanut butter and the jelly was already on the bread. We just got put together [easily]. The chemistry is getting there. The chemistry is getting better as the games go by. I believe in it."

Over their last 10 games, the Mavs have the fifth-best offense, the second-best defense and the fourth-best net rating. That's the mark of a true title contender, and if the Mavs end up showing that potential in the postseason, Kidd will have an easier time securing that contract extension over the summer.