Mavericks’ Kidd backed Doncic trade to Lakers, report claims

Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reportedly supported the trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from NBA insider Shams Charania. The disclosure emerged shortly after Kidd’s dismissal by the Mavericks, adding another layer of complexity to the franchise’s ongoing organisational overhaul.

Charania, appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, clarified that while Kidd was not the primary decision-maker in the transaction, sources within the Mavericks organisation believe he had a level of support for the move. The trade, which sent Doncic to Los Angeles in February last year, was originally executed by executive Nico Harrison, who was also fired earlier this season.

The Mavericks’ recent trajectory has been marked by significant instability. Following the trade, the franchise traded away Anthony Davis, the star player acquired in the initial swap, to the Washington Wizards. Kidd, who had served as head coach for five seasons, was let go despite guiding a squad with only the fifth seed in the Western Conference to the 2024 NBA Finals.

Since the trade, the Mavericks have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The team’s future remains uncertain amid injuries to key players such as Davis and Kyrie Irving. Although the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg, who won Rookie of the Year, the organisation’s prospects are described as murky following a period of missed opportunities and personnel changes.

Conversely, the Lakers have found renewed hope with Doncic, who has delivered an MVP-caliber campaign. Averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, Doncic has won his second scoring title and helped position the Lakers as potential contenders for the NBA title next season, provided they make the right moves this offseason.