Jason Kidd Talks Luka, Lakers Trade While Reflecting On His Trade from Mavs to Suns

Jason Kidd recently had to say goodbye to the face of the Dallas Mavericks as the team sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Anthony Davis in one of the biggest trades in NBA history. 

Nearly 30 years ago, the Mavericks traded another elite playmaker away from their team as they sent Kidd, now Dallas’ head coach, to the Phoenix Suns during the 1996-97 season. Kidd recently reflected on that moment and what it’s like to be traded from a player’s perspective. 

“It shocks you because you don’t know about that side of the business,” Kidd said, per The Athletic’s Christian Clark. “But you have to grow up fast. It is a business.”

Though not quite as accomplished as Dončić, Kidd already had a co-Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star appearance to his name. He, similar to Dončić, expected to be a career Maverick. 

“You believe you are going to be with the franchise forever,” Kidd said. “But the business of basketball sometimes gets in the way. Teams change. I’ve been involved in quite a few sales of the team. Any time there is a sale, there could be change. It just happens.”

The trade ultimately worked out for Kidd as he finished his career with 10 All-Star selections, five All-NBA selections and four All-Defensive Team nods. He also returned to Dallas in 2007 and was a member of the 2011 championship team. 

Dončić, already a five-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA first-team member, will look to continue his trajectory toward greatness with his new team. He had a bit of a slow start in Los Angeles as he made his return from injury, but he looked like his usual self on Saturday when he had 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Denver Nuggets.