Jason Kidd’s Role In Mavericks Trading Luka Doncic To Lakers Revisited
Jason Kidd's Role In Mavericks Trading Luka Doncic To Lakers Revisited
On February 2, 2025, the NBA was rocked by one of the most shocking trades in league history. The Dallas Mavericks sent superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal.
The Mavericks received Anthony Davis. They also moved Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, who joined Dončić in Los Angeles.
The trade came as a stunning midseason move. It drastically altered the Western Conference landscape.
This decision by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison happened with virtually no warning. It went down in the middle of the night, catching many within the organization totally off guard.
Behind the scenes, frustration with Dončić had apparently been building. Both Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd were reportedly growing increasingly impatient with certain aspects of Dončić’s play and demeanor.
Despite their previous success together—including an NBA Finals appearance just ten months earlier—the relationship had deteriorated. The whole thing unraveled fast.
The consequences for Dallas have been severe. The team has struggled to adjust to the dramatic roster overhaul.
Davis hasn’t been able to replicate Dončić’s offensive production. Numerous injuries throughout the roster made things even worse.
Key Players in the Trade:
- To Lakers: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- To Mavericks: Anthony Davis
Kidd, despite reportedly sharing some frustrations with Dončić, has since attempted to distance himself from the trade decision. The coaching staff faced significant challenges adapting their schemes mid-season after building everything around Dončić’s unique skillset for years.
Kyrie Irving, who joined Dallas to partner with Dončić, now finds himself in an unexpected situation paired with Davis instead.
The origins of the trade reportedly date back to summer 2023, when tensions first began to surface. Dončić’s defensive effort had been a particular point of contention, though his offensive brilliance had previously outweighed these concerns.
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks front office now face serious questions about the franchise’s direction. With the team headed to the lottery for the second time in three seasons, Harrison’s position appears increasingly precarious as fan discontent grows.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have gained one of the NBA’s premier offensive talents. Dončić’s contract situation presents its own challenge, since he could become a free agent in summer 2026.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
