The Athletic's profile on Jason Kidd as a head coaching candidate

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Why it makes sense
Kidd would certainly be a controversial hire because of the rocky start to his head coaching career, but there’s no questioning the value to having one of the most cerebral point guards in league history leading the way for a young Pelicans squad. He commands respect as a Hall-of-Famer, an NBA champion and one of the greatest on-court leaders of his generation. According to a story released by ESPN’s Howard Beck earlier this season, LeBron James views Kidd as “the only person alive who sees the game of basketball with his level of clarity.” He’s also been given a great deal of credit by several of his former Bucks players — including soon-to-be two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — for the lessons he taught them that built the foundation for the team that’s dominated the East the past two seasons. Kidd would be an ideal pick for someone to help groom Lonzo Ball into a game-changing point guard who pushes the pace and doesn’t need to take 15-20 shots a night next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Kidd’s in-your-face style of coaching and high demands might be what Ball needs to avoid some of the emotional lulls he’s dealt with in the past. He’d also be a good resource for other young guards on the roster such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Frank Jackson. Player development, especially at the guard position, will be a critical aspect of the next Pelicans coach’s success in the Crescent City with all the young talent currently on the roster and more draft picks coming down the line. Kidd has proven he can bring the most out of young players who show potential. Will he be able to do it this time around without burning bridges along the way?

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Biggest strengths

Experience as a player who reached the highest levels. Ability to understand the demands Williamson and Ingram face as they continue to grow as stars
Has relationships with many veterans around the league who could benefit the Pelicans in free agency or in the search for assistants to add to his staff
His willingness to push Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in different ways early their careers played a big part in their ascension to stardom
Developing young talent
Has coached a few different teams with different objectives while still at a young age

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Biggest questions

Can he avoid having adversarial relationships with younger players and management like he did in Milwaukee?
Is he capable of putting together a defensive scheme that will work with the Pelicans’ current roster construction?
Will he try to slow down a Pelicans offense that’s finished top-5 in pace the last three seasons?

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