The Dallas Mavericks are charting a new course forward after their Draft Lottery success, but there is still discussion about how they got there.
After landing the first pick in the NBA Draft via the Lottery, there are big reasons for the Dallas Mavericks to be optimistic once again.
The Mavericks were only in the Draft Lottery after the Luka Doncic trade torpedoed their season, along with a succession of injuries.
The Doncic trade meant there was little sympathy for the Mavericks’ self-inflicted woe, with the whole NBA shocked at how they could trade away one of the league’s best players.
While the trade is in one sense ‘old news’, it was still a heavy topic of discussion in a new interview with head coach Jason Kidd.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty ImagesJason Kidd on how he found out about Luka Doncic trade
Jason Kidd has kept largely silent on the Luka Doncic trade, and many felt that his body language during the initial press conference suggested he was not on board. Kidd has since stated he was merely trying to process the events.
Now in an interview on the Dan Patrick Show, Kidd reveals how he was only brought on board with the secretive process with one hour to go.
Asked about how he found out about the trade, Kidd responded: “I was told by my boss Nico [Harrison], that we were going to change.
“This is in the hotel in Cleveland, he said the news was going to hit in an hour, and that’s how it went down.
“When he told me, I went back to my room to start figuring out how we are going to use AD [Anthony Davis] and [Max] Christie.”
Kidd added a little more color when asked about what he did when he went back to the hotel room and whether he called anybody to discuss it.
He explained: “I didn’t cry, I was more figuring about how to make this thing work, this is a big trade. I didn’t call anybody, I put my phone down and looked at the ceiling, trying to brainstorm how this is going to go down.”
Kidd also praised Harrison’s handling of the matter internally, with the players left stunned at finding out the news.
“There were going to be a lot of questions from staff and players and I thought Nico did a great job of handling it by having a meeting, and for us pushing forward.
Kidd has not spoken to Luka Doncic since February
Despite the LA Lakers facing off against the Dallas Mavericks twice since the trade happened, Jason Kidd admits he has not spoken with Luka Doncic since 24 hours after the trade.
“I text him that morning and that’s the last time I talked to him,” he said.
He added: “I don’t think he was too happy, and maybe from being traded feelings are high, upset.
“Again I loved the opportunity of coaching Luka, he’s an incredible person, and we all know his talent is one of the best in the world.”
Kidd’s Mavericks made the Play-In Tournament but won only one of two games, failing to make the playoffs.
But with all the challenges they have faced, Kidd is proud of the way the Mavericks battled to end the season.
“Especially with all the trade and the injuries, I thought we did an incredible job.”