Recent Trade Dynamics in the NBA

The landscape of trades continues to shift significantly.

Jason Kidd, head coach of the Mavericks and a Hall of Fame point guard, shared on Thursday that he hasn’t had any communication with Luka Doncic since the notable deals made headlines worldwide.

Doncic, now a member of the Lakers, was part of a high-profile trade on February 2nd, which sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Mavericks. This transaction was central in a three-team deal that also involved the Jazz.

During his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Kidd confessed that he last spoke to Doncic the morning of the trade.

“I sent him a text that day, and that was it,” Kidd mentioned to Patrick. “I don’t think he’s, uh, feeling very pleased. I mean, it’s natural to feel surprised or upset after a trade, given the emotional rollercoaster. But coaching Luka was a privilege. He’s an exceptional individual, and we all recognize his skills. He’s undoubtedly among the best globally.”

Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ season has taken a downturn, despite some competitive performances post-trade. This decline can largely be attributed to injuries, as Davis faced a left shoulder dislocation just in his first game with the Mavericks.

Subsequently, they also lost Kyrie Irving due to an ACL tear, and key players like PJ Washington, Derek Lively, and Daniel Gafford have struggled with injuries.

Last season, only Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Naji Marshall managed to play in at least 57 games for the Mavericks.

Despite these setbacks, fortune smiled upon the Mavericks when they snagged the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft—an unexpected twist, considering they had just a 1.8% chance in the lottery.

It seems likely that they’ll select Duke standout, Cooper Flagg, with that first overall pick, which could provide a much-needed boost after the Doncic trade, especially after their earlier playoff exit following the 2024 Western Conference Championship.