Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has addressed recent comments from former owner Mark Cuban, who expressed regret over selling the franchise and questioned a trade involving Luka Doncic.
Kidd said he learned of the 2025 trade involving Doncic just moments before it became public. He described the timing as the “11th hour”.
Kidd’s Reaction to the Doncic Trade
Speaking at a shootaround, Kidd responded to Cuban’s comments. Cuban had criticised the decision-making that led to Doncic’s departure to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kidd pushed back by voicing support for the Mavericks’ current ownership, stating that they have “the best owner in the league.”
When asked if he felt blindsided by the trade, Kidd said the description was fair.
“Blindsided, maybe, that’s a good way to put it,” Kidd said. “When I found out about it, I just looked at it as this is Cuban, and he has a right to his opinion. But I’m here to tell you the truth… they found out at the 11th hour.”
Kidd detailed how he was called to see then-general manager Nico Harrison shortly before the deal was set to go public. “The time that I was called to see Nico… and to be told that there would be a trade that was going to go public at 11:00, that’s what happened,” Kidd said. “I waited till 11:00, and in that trade, the world changed.”
Kidd added that his focus quickly shifted to managing the roster transition. “As a head coach, I had to, you know, understand there’s players leaving and there’s players coming in, and that’s how I thought as a head coach,” he said.
Cuban’s Regret and Disagreement
Cuban, who sold a majority stake in the Mavericks to the Adelson family, said on a podcast he regretted how the sale unfolded. He also criticised the decision-making that led to Doncic’s departure.
Cuban said he learned the trade had already been finalised when Harrison contacted him, and that he disagreed with the reasoning behind it, calling it “a mistake.”
He defended Doncic’s performance despite criticism about conditioning. He said the star guard’s ability to deliver in clutch moments made him indispensable.
Fallout From the Trade
The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts. There are lingering questions about communication within the organisation.
Questions remain about the long-term direction of the franchise.
Kidd’s comments come days after Cuban’s remarks. The Mavericks organisation now moves forward under new ownership, navigating the consequences of the Doncic trade.