Kidd will miss the first two games of the regular season – at the Cleveland Cavaliers in Brooklyn's season opener on Oct. 30 and at home against the Miami Heat on Nov. 1.
The suspension was expected as was the length, based on past suspensions issued by the NBA for a similar offense. Other players and coaches, including Eric Musselman, Zach Randolph and Carmelo Anthony, have received two-game suspensions for driving while impaired or under the influence.
"The decision is consistent with what the league has done in the past and we look forward to Jason leading our team versus Orlando and the rest of the year," Nets general manager Billy King said in a statement.
Kidd was charged with a DWI after he ran his SUV into a telephone poll on July 15, 2012, in the Hamptons. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge on July 16 and was placed on probation for a year. He also agreed to talk to Long Island students about the dangers of driving while impaired.
After his guilty plea, King said in a statement, "Jason has taken responsibility for his actions, and fully realizes that he needs to grow from this experience. We are confident he will make these strides on a personal level and have a positive effect on others as well."
Had Kidd reached a plea deal last season when he was playing the New York Knicks, he likely would have missed two games as a player rather than missing Brooklyn's first two games this season. After 19 seasons, Kidd, No. 2 on the NBA's all-time assist list, retired in June and a week later accepted the Nets coaching job.
