Nets Coach Jason Kidd Traded to the Bucks

The surprise move of the NBA offseason isn’t LeBron or Melo opting out of their contracts. It’s that Jason Kidd got traded.

Kidd spent last season — his first as a former player — behind the bench coaching the Brooklyn Nets. But he decided to show us that trades aren’t just for players. A strange series of events that began last Friday ended today when the rare coach trade: Kidd is headed to the Milwaukee Bucks for two second-round picks. The Bucks fired head coach Larry Drew organization Monday morning, after the deal with the Nets was reached. The Nets, meanwhile, are suddenly in need of a new bench boss.

Kidd went 44-38 with the Nets and led them to their first playoff series win since 2007, before falling to powerhouse Miami in the conference semifinals. Not too bad for his first year at the helm.

But reports say Kidd was looking for a bigger front office role with the Nets, including a promotion where he had more involvement in basketball operations. The Nets told Kidd no, and Kidd decided to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

The Bucks’ new co-owner Marc Lasry and Kidd have known each other for most of Kidd’s professional career, which could explain why Kidd is heading to a team with the worst record in the NBA and little expectation for playoff contention.

Milwaukee’s terrible 2013-14 season earned it the second pick in the 2014 Draft, so Kidd will get to coach the highly touted Jabari Parker. And more importantly to him, there’s speculation that his coaching position will likely grow, giving him the front office influence he wanted with the Nets.

As the NBA keeps us on our toes, between contract opt-outs and trades, who knows what the next power move will be? Stay tuned to SIKids.com for the latest!

What do you think about Jason Kidd being traded to the Bucks? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images