Jason Kidd explained that injuries prevented the Mavericks from ever seeing Anthony Davis alongside the full core in Dallas. The coach stressed that the team never had a real chance to evaluate the plan, leading the franchise to move on and shift its focus toward a younger future.
The Dallas Mavericks decided to move on from Anthony Davis just before the trade deadline, but for head coach Jason Kidd, the issue was never about talent. It was about timing and health.
Dallas Mavericks / Schedule
Dallas sent Davis to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought back Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, two first-round picks from Oklahoma City and Golden State, and three second-round picks. The trade marked the end of a short and frustrating run for Davis in a Mavericks uniform.
Speaking after the move, Kidd pointed to injuries as the main reason the experiment failed. The Mavericks never had the chance to see their core together on the floor.
"It was unfortunate, his health. We never got to see everyone together. Not just AD but Kyrie and with Coop. Unfortunately, we didn't have that opportunity. But AD is an incredible basketball player and a great human being. We wish him the best in D.C.," Kidd said, per Mavericks reporter Noah Weber.
Dallas hoped Davis would anchor the defense and be the final piece of a title-level roster. Instead, injuries kept him sidelined for long stretches. Davis has not played since early January due to a hand injury.
This season, the veteran big man averaged 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds in 20 games. Overall, he appeared in 29 games since joining the Mavericks in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic out of Dallas.
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