Mavericks' Jason Kidd Clears Air About Luka Doncic Trade, Mark Cuban Comments

It may have been 14 months since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, but it's hard to tell based on the latest news. Minority owner Mark Cuban went on the "Intersections" podcast, which aired this week, where he said he regretted selling the team to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, while also implying that head coach Jason Kidd had a hand in trading Doncic.

Kidd has been flat-out tired of talking about, asking, "When are we going to move on?" over the weekend. Cuban's comments seemed to back up what a lot of fans think, which is Kidd having more of a hand in the deal than was initially reported, but there was never any confirmation. Nico Harrison shouldered most of the blame/credit, and Kidd mostly escaped unscathed. He did look shocked at that initial press conference in Cleveland, though.

With Doncic and the Lakers set to visit the AAC on Sunday, if Doncic is healthy, the media swarm is going to pick up once again. Jason Kidd got out ahead of that by meeting with reporters on Friday ahead of the game against the Orlando Magic, once again saying he didn't know about the trade until the final minutes.

“As I’ve said, I was not part of the process, and I was informed at the 11th hour. And that’s the truth,” Kidd said. “We have to move forward. We’ve planted our flag, and that’s Cooper Flagg. And we have an opportunity to build around him, and this is an exciting time... But again, as I’ve said, the process I was not part of. I found out at the 11th hour.

"When you look at the time that I was called to see Nico in the room, and to be able to be told that there was a trade that was going to go public at 11 o’clock. That’s what happened. At 11 o’clock, the world changed. As a head coach, I had to understand there’s players leaving and there’s players coming in. That’s how I thought as a head coach.”

Jason Kidd on the claim that he knew about the Luka trade:

“I was not apart of the process and I was informed at the 11th hour. And that’s the truth.” pic.twitter.com/92T3yt4Ba3
— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) April 3, 2026

So, What Really Was Jason Kidd's Role in the Trade?

Jason Kidd may not have told Nico Harrison, "You have to trade Luka Doncic." It is somewhat likely that he was complaining about Doncic's habits and defense to Harrison, but never wanted it to go as far as wanting Doncic gone, especially for the return they got back.

Kidd isn't faultless, which is why the fan pressure may have picked up around him. He's also likely not going anywhere, though. Multiple reports have surfaced in the last few days that Kidd is expected to remain the coach of the Mavericks, even after this abysmal season.

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