A telling video of Luka Doncic and Jason Kidd has emerged this week.
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-99 on Tuesday in what was the first meeting between the teams since their infamous trade. Doncic was stunningly sent by the Mavs to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in a deal few could believe.
In the days since the Feb. 1 trade occurred, the Mavericks have spent time trying to do a great deal of damage control. Reports have said the Mavs made the trade because they had long-term health concerns regarding Doncic. Whatever the case, the trade has clearly left Doncic with a chip on his shoulder.
A video emerged after the game that showed Doncic appearing to stare down Kidd and yell at the Mavericks head coach after making a basket.
Kidd knew about that trade and Luka knows lol pic.twitter.com/8htVmJWzoq
— Jo (@MavsStan41) February 27, 2025
Some people have interpreted that video as signaling Kidd knew about the Doncic trade. Maybe Doncic just feels like Kidd was not on his side and perhaps had a role in the deal being made.
The Mavericks’ loss is most certainly the Lakers’ gain. The Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-102 on Thursday despite Doncic not even shooting well. He scored 21 points on just 6/20 shooting, including a 1-for-9 performance on threes.
Doncic has averaged 19 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game since being traded to the Lakers.
As for Kidd, he said that he had no knowledge of the trade prior to it happening. He said he didn’t hear about it until the 11th hour.
“Just got a call to come up to the room and was told about the trade,” Kidd said when asked when he learned of the Doncic deal. “I’m an employee of the Mavs. I’ve said this before and some of you maybe overlooked it: I’m the coach. I coach the players that are here. We made a trade and we’ve got to push forward. That’s what we’re doing.”
Do you believe Kidd? Maybe there are some things about the trade we’ll never know. But it sure does seem to have motivated Doncic.
