Jason Kidd leaves Nets for Bucks, Lionel Hollins replaces him

The Bucks formally introduced Jason Kidd as their new head coach on Wednesday and like the process to hire Kidd, the press conference was a bit strange. Kidd has been criticized for his power play in Brooklyn and pursuing a job that was not open. He didn’t do much to reverse that ill will during the press conference and instead spent most of the time giving non-answers, dodging questions or invoking clichés.

While Kidd dodged questions, Bucks general manager John Hammond also spoke. He was not involved in the decision to hire Kidd until very late in the process, something Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry said he regretted. While Hammond said the right things and called the last four days “great days for the Bucks organization” he also did so without mentioning Jason Kidd’s name. As far as introductory press conferences go, this one ranked highly on the awkward scale.

Once the news of Kidd’s failed promotional ploy in Brooklyn spread, the Bucks’ new owners still hadn’t talked to their current employee. And they still hadn’t said a word to Drew by the time they had agreed to make the trade to acquire Kidd, reports Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

Is it cruel and unusual that a coach would be fired after one season on the job? Cruel, maybe, but it’s not unusual. Nothing is out of line when a coach wins 15 games with a roster that the team had actually spent money on to win rather than tank.

Hollins last coached in the NBA with the Grizzlies during the 2012-13 season. The 60-year-old was let go by Memphis after that season despite 56 wins and a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Wojnarowski reported some Nets officials wanted to fire Kidd and hire Hollins in December, but ownership decided to stick with Kidd.

Here’s the short version of what madness broke Saturday. Kidd agitated for more money and power within the Nets organization after a glorious No. 6 finish in the East. The Nets’ Russian management denied his attempt. Kidd’s former financial adviser and current friend Marc Lasry co-owns the Bucks. Kidd’s agent asked the Nets for permission to negotiate with Milwaukee. It was granted. Reports suggest Kidd’s tenure in Brooklyn is over regardless of whether the Bucks send a draft pick to the Nets for the honor of hiring the legendary point guard in some capacity.

If there’s any bright side, as the Bucks crawl out on this rickety limb, it’s that Kidd does not appear to be the salesman he believes himself to be. Otherwise, he might be reigning atop the Nets instead of limping to Wisconsin. Perhaps the new leaders of the Bucks will see through Kidd and stay the course. One can only hope.