“The shocking midseason trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 remains a sore spot for the Dallas Mavericks faithful. The controversial swap deal that saw Anthony Davis move in the opposite direction has haunted the franchise ever since, sending them to the lottery for a second straight year. Mavs minority owner Mark Cuban recently confirmed his role in the trade, causing uproar among fans and raising questions about the team’s future. However, head coach Jason Kidd has a message for the fans – “Move on”.
Cuban’s revelation about his involvement in the trade has reignited the anger and disappointment felt by Mavericks fans. Doncic, who was only 25 years old at the time, was considered the future of the franchise and a player who would lead them to success for years to come. His abrupt departure left a void in the team and the hearts of fans, who had high hopes for the rising star. But as the saying goes, “time heals all wounds”, and Kidd is confident that this trade was for the best.
Kidd, who was appointed as head coach of the Mavericks in 2021, has faced his fair share of criticism since taking over the reins. But the basketball legend, who led the team to an NBA championship as a player in 2011, knows what it takes to build a winning team. In a recent interview, Kidd addressed the controversy surrounding the Doncic-Davis trade and urged fans to focus on the present and the future.
“I understand that it’s not easy for the fans to see one of their favorite players leave. But we need to move on from that and focus on the players we have now and the ones we will have in the future,” Kidd said. “As a coach, my job is to make the best out of the team I have and I have full confidence in our players and their abilities. We have a talented roster and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
The disappointment of the trade was further compounded by the fact that the Mavericks missed out on a playoff spot for the second consecutive year. Doncic’s absence was a major factor in their underwhelming performance, leading many to question the decision to trade him. But Kidd believes that the team’s struggles were not solely due to the trade and that there were other factors at play.
“Basketball is a team sport and there are many variables that come into play. The trade was one of them, but there were other factors that contributed to our performance. We are constantly evaluating and making changes to improve the team, and we will continue to do so in the future,” Kidd explained.
With the 2026 NBA season just around the corner, the Mavericks are gearing up for a fresh start. Cuban has made some key roster changes and the team is focused on turning their fortunes around. While Doncic is no longer a part of the team, the Mavericks have acquired young talents like Jalen Suggs and James Bouknight through the draft, giving fans hope for a promising future.
“We have some amazing young players on our team and I am excited to see them grow and develop. When you look at the big picture, it is clear that the Doncic-Davis trade was a move towards building a sustainable and successful team. As a coach, that is what I am focused on – building a winning team for the future,” Kidd stated.
As for Doncic, he has found success with the Lakers, leading them to back-to-back NBA championships. But Kidd believes that the trade was a win-win for both teams and has no ill feelings towards the Slovenian star.
“Doncic is a phenomenal player and I am happy to see him succeed in LA. But the trade worked out for us as well. It’s time for our fans to move on and focus on the present and the future. We have a lot to look forward to,” Kidd concluded.
It’s clear that Kidd is determined to put the past behind and lead the Mavericks to a successful future. While the Doncic trade may still be a sore spot for some fans, it’s time to trust in the team and move on. The 2026 season will be a test for the Mavericks, but with a passionate and motivated coach like Kidd, there’s no telling what they can achieve. So let’s heed his advice and “move on”. The best is yet to come for the Dallas Mavericks.”
