A league where HCs complain about back-to-backs, they forget that the breaks do come. And for Mavericks, the free time is here and there’s a lot of talking in these hours. It’s a three-day break for the Mavericks before they face the Lakers again. Everyone remembers what happened the last time, to say the least, was ironic. ​The LA-based team took on the Dallas Mavericks on February 25, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the Lakers secured a 107-99 victory. Notably, Luka Doncic, in his first game against his former team since being traded to the Lakers, delivered an impressive performance with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, achieving a triple-double! ​The Lakers enjoyed but the Dallas fans will be doing everything to forget it. And it pains Jason Kidd. Despite all of his wishes, he had to let go of his star kid. And it came back to haunt them like he knew it would.

It is no secret that Luka was their wonder kid. The best thing to come out of Dallas since Dirk Nowitzki. The aftermath of the trade didn’t sit well with the fans, with ‘Fire Nico’ chants being their anthem for the games to come. But there’s still love for him, says Kidd. “Just another home game. It should be electric. Think the fans will be excited to see Luka and we’ll be excited to figure out how to protect home,” said the Mavs HC in the post-game press.

Jason Kidd downplayed the upcoming home game, almost brushing it off as just another night, but the weight in his words told a different story. He acknowledged the buzz Luka’s return would bring, knowing full well the fans would be more excited about the reunion than the matchup itself. Beneath it all, there was a quiet sense of helplessness — a coach aware of the challenge ahead, unsure if his team could rise to meet it.

Can you imagine another 19/12/15 show by the Don? The Dallas faithful do not need any more of a reason to hate Nico Harrison: this will just be the ultimatum. Salt on the wound? They’re without Kyrie Irving as well. But what’s for sure is they’ll be using all the tools in the bag to get a win against LeBron James and co.

The trade was the first time in NBA history that two current All-Star honorees swapped teams mid-season. The man on the other end of the trade, Anthony Davis, hasn’t gotten the results he deserved. It was mostly down to the injury he sustained on his debut for the Mavs. And after the 18-game sit out, Jason Kidd has tried to write AD’s fate in Texas during the same post-game conference.

Jason Kidd hopeful of Mavs’ success with Anthony Davis

For anyone hungry for a championship, AD is exactly what they need. He’s a 10x All-Star honoree, has won the NBA and the NBA cup with the Lakers, and an Olympic gold medal with the US National Team. That kinda pedigree is hard to come by. But his injuries have been a huge blow to both him and his team. Regardless of the past, Jason Kidd is hopeful of a successful future with Davis as the starting center with Luka Doncic gone.

“Yeah, I think he sounded like a champion. You know, trades aren’t easy. Especially mid-season, trades definitely are not easy. I think he’s done everything that we’ve asked him and he’s played at a high level when he’s able to been on the court. Unfortunately with that injury against Houston, [it] set him back. But I think he’s excited to be a Mav and we truly believe that he’s gonna help us win a championship.”

Kidd’s tone carried the calm of someone who’s seen storms before. The trade may have come mid-stride, and the injury was a stumble, but he sees a spark, not just a fit, but a future. In his mind, the title run isn’t a question of if, just when. Not just AD, the pedigree Kidd brings into the team is like no other, either. But it just hasn’t gone according to plan for the Mavericks yet. They sit 9th in the West, with a 38/41 record. His hopes are for the Brow to get into full fitness more consistently and for them to win their second-ever championship ring.

It’s painful to see what last year’s conference champions have become this season. It’s been downhill since Luka Doncic left, and the welcome back will be a gut-wrenching one for the Mavs faithful. But Jason Kidd is hopeful that the trade will pay off, and Anthony Davis will come in handy in future championship runs. A consolation or reality loading? Only time will tell.