Rick Carlisle returning to Indiana Pacers as coach, backs Jason Kidd for Dallas Mavericks’ job

Carlisle spent 13 seasons in Dallas, becoming the franchise’s winningest coach with a 555-478 record and leading the Mavs to the franchise’s only championship in 2010-11.

Michael Finley, Nowitzki’s former teammate and the franchise’s current executive vice president of basketball operations, is among the candidates being considered to replace Nelson.

“My hope is that Jason Kidd will be the next coach of the Mavs because he and Luka have so many things in common as players,” Carlisle said.

In his return to Indiana, Carlisle will replace Nate Bjorkgren, who was fired after one season as the Pacers’ head coach.

“It’s an exciting situation because there’s upside here,” said Carlisle, 61, who has a career record of 836-689, ranking 15th in career wins.

It’s a team of skilled, unselfish guys that play hard.

The Mavs, meanwhile, have not advanced past the first round since winning the title a decade ago, having undergone a rebuilding process during that span.

“I learned many things from him, and I told him that I’m glad I’m only going to see him twice a year.

I think these three years set up as a major springboard for the next 10 for him.

It’s very difficult to come up with a simple statement to thank somebody for the 13 years that I’ve had with him.

“I just have an amazing amount of gratitude to the city of Dallas, the Mavericks organization, all the players and coaches that I’ve had an opportunity to work with.

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