The Dallas Mavericks’ trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers was one of the most shocking moves in NBA history. But even more surprising was how little Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd knew about the deal before it was finalized.
In a candid interview, Kidd revealed that he was only informed of the trade at the last moment, signaling a lack of communication between the front office and the coaching staff.
“Yeah, the 11th hour. Just getting a call to come up to the room and being told about the trade… Yeah, I’m an employee of the Mavs. Always. I’ve said this before, and some maybe overlooked it. I’m the coach. I coach the players that are here. We’ve made a trade, and we got to push forward, and that’s what we’re doing.
“No one’s gonna, you know, feel bad for us. Trades happen in this game. Things change. Coaches change. Teams get sold. A lot of things happen that are out of our control. But you guys continue to just do your job, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Kidd admitted that he had no say in the decision, reiterating his role as a coach rather than a decision-maker within the organization.
“I’m the coach. I’m not the decision-maker. I’m here to coach the team that is given to me, and then I’m judged on that by you guys. … I’m not the one who gets the groceries. Then I got to figure out how to use it. And so that’s what we’re doing.”
“But the injuries this year—never have we complained. We put out groups. We’ve started two-way players. We’re just going to try to find a way to win. And that’s what it comes down to.”
“So, I don’t want to be the one that’s buying the groceries. Just give me the groceries, and I’ll figure it out.”
Following the trade, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison spoke about the decision-making process and his relationship with Kidd. He suggested that, even though Kidd wasn’t directly involved in the final decision, the two were aligned in their vision for the team.
While Harrison insisted that he and Kidd were on the same page, Kidd’s late notification of the trade suggests otherwise. The Mavericks’ trade of Doncic for Anthony Davis shocked the basketball world, not just because of the magnitude of the deal, but because of how unexpected it was—even to the team’s head coach.
Even though Doncic had not played for Dallas since December 25 due to an injury, his presence was still felt within the team. The emotional weight of his departure was evident, as Kidd and his players adjusted to a new reality.
The Mavericks won their first game after the trade, defeating the Houston Rockets 116-105, with Anthony Davis debuting for Dallas. However, Davis’ injury issues immediately raised concerns about whether the Mavericks made the right decision.
The Mavericks are now 2-2 since the trade, including impressive wins against the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. But Davis’ injury issues are already becoming a major concern. He left his first game early due to tightness in his groin and quadriceps.
Davis played well before exiting, scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. However, his injury history was one of the primary concerns before the trade, and now the Mavericks are already questioning their long-term outlook.
Meanwhile, Doncic is set to make his Lakers debut on Monday, potentially playing alongside LeBron James if he returns from his ankle injury. The next time Jason Kidd and Luka Doncic could reunite will be on February 25, when the Mavericks travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers.
Jason Kidd’s late notification of the Luka Doncic trade raises serious questions about the Mavericks’ organizational structure and decision-making process. While Kidd remained professional, his words suggested frustration with being left out of the loop.
Now, the Mavericks must navigate life without Doncic, while also hoping that Anthony Davis can stay healthy. Meanwhile, Luka’s chapter with the Lakers is just beginning, and all eyes will be on how he and LeBron work together as a superstar duo.
For the Mavericks’ future, much depends on how well Davis fits with the team—and whether this trade ultimately helps Dallas contend for a championship.
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