Mark Cuban Risked Angering Luka Doncic by Choosing Jason Kidd Over the Mavs Star’s Favorite Coach, Says Veteran NBA Insider

The Dallas Mavericks are on the doorstep of beginning a new era. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have walked a stormy and resilient path to make their first NBA Finals since 2011. The culture changed a lot since the arrival of Jason Kidd. The veteran point guard and one of the NBA’s all-time assist leaders steered the franchise to the WCF in his very first season. Now, in his third year, he is on the podium of glory. But was Kidd desired by the franchise wonderkid Doncic?

When discussing the head coaching selection process any NBA franchise follows, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps established the importance of having the star player’s approval. He claims the Cavaliers will ask Donovan Mitchell and the Lakers, even though the reports are denied will consult LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Surprisingly, he said the only guy whose choice was overridden by an organization was in the case of Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

“He would have hired Jamahl Mosley, who obviously has gone on to prove that he’s a heck of a head coach in Orlando. But Mosley was Luka’s guy. They had an extremely strong relationship. Mark Cuban and his advisory committee at the time, for whatever reason, decided that they weren’t going to go with Jamal Mosley. But they made sure that Luka was okay with the hiring of Jason Kidd”, Bontemps said when appearing as a guest on The Hoop Collective.

Mosley had a diverse 15-year career as an assistant coach before accepting Orlando’s HC offer. From 2014 to 2021, he spent time with the Mavericks, acting as the lead advisor to then-coach Rick Carlisle. In 2018, when they drafted Doncic, touted to be a superstar, Jamahl Mosley took time to understand him as a human rather than a franchise fortune changer.

When Carlisle moved on from Dallas, Mosley was one of the options the Mavericks considered to replace the elite head coach. Mark Cuban appointed a committee and even took help from Dirk Nowitzki in choosing the successor, which ended up being Kidd. The Slovenian never expressed any displeasure but rather dialed into the expertise of Jason Kidd. Together, they became the star duo of Dallas before it was time for Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Ironically, Carlisle was one of the people who saw the vast potential of a partnership between Doncic and Kidd due to their similarities. “I just think that it would be a great situation for Luka, and I think it would be an amazing situation for Jason. I’m the only person on the planet that’s coached both of those guys and that knows about all of their special qualities as basketball players. To me, that just would be a great marriage, but that’s just an opinion”, he raved to ESPN in 2021.

The choice, despite being against the wishes of the franchise ace eventually paid them back tenfold. Jason Kidd is now four games away from landing another chip in Dallas and the second in his coaching career. Luka Doncic has become well accustomed to having the savvy point guard around and picking up his tricks along the way.

Jamahl Mosley is shining with Orlando

Mosley had an incredible relationship with Luka Doncic. However, as an assistant coach, his true prowess was never discovered. His fabulous understanding and quick wit came through when he joined the Magic. In three seasons, he has turned the franchise around. What began as a team that could only muster 22 wins went on to secure 47 this season and achieved a playoff berth.

They lost in seven to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But it gave them a formula for success. Jamahl Mosley had turned the young and youthful Magic into a fierce force on both ends of the floor. Just like with Luka Doncic, he took Paola Banchero under his wing and unleashed his potential.

The tandem of Banchero and Franz Wagner gave NBA fans a glimpse of what the Magic are capable of going into the future. Mosley’s impact was palpable. He came second behind OKC’s Mark Daigneault for the NBA’s Coach of The Year award. The revival of the Magic now seems imminent with Mosley’s brainy character at the helm.

His unmatched player management and fine breakdown of the game are the reason the city’s spirits are lifted once again. After achieving playoff ascension, the Magic are likely to be hungrier than ever come next season. Do you think Mosley can replicate or even surpass his success from this season? Let us know what you feel in the comments below.