Mavs Coach Hints That Luka Doncic Made Things Difficult for Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson

Mavs Coach Hints That Luka Doncic Made Things Difficult for Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently made some eye-catching remarks regarding the team’s offensive adjustments following a major trade. While he didn’t directly mention Luka Doncic by name, Kidd subtly suggested that Doncic’s presence on the team had played a role in Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson struggling to find their rhythm before the trade.

The Mavericks have had a rollercoaster season, with the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson seen as key moves to bolster the roster. However, the team is still adjusting after trading away Luka Doncic, a move that was reportedly influenced by concerns beyond just on-court performance. Issues surrounding discipline, effort, and team chemistry were believed to be factors in the decision.

Notably, Kidd has completely avoided mentioning Doncic’s name in recent press conferences. When asked about how the team’s offensive approach has changed post-trade, he made a statement that many interpreted as a pointed remark about Doncic’s style of play:

“(Kyrie) will get more shots, Klay will get more shots, everyone will get more shots simply because of the player we traded. He was involved in everything.”

Referring to Doncic merely as “the player we traded” instead of acknowledging him as the former centerpiece of Dallas’ offensive system marked a significant shift in Kidd’s rhetoric. His comments appeared to allude to Doncic’s ball-dominant playing style, as the former Mavericks star had consistently led the league in time of possession per game. Critics have often compared his game to Kobe Bryant, though with less efficiency.

Now with the Los Angeles Lakers, Doncic is showing a different approach—whether it’s for better or worse remains to be seen.

Kyrie Irving: The New Face of the Mavericks

With Doncic’s departure, the responsibility of leading the Mavericks now falls to Kyrie Irving. However, this leadership dynamic has been further complicated by the arrival of Anthony Davis, adding another dominant presence to the team.

At 33 years old, Irving is no longer in his prime and has been dealing with lingering injuries. When asked about Irving’s workload following Kidd’s indirect comments about Doncic, the coach had this to say:

“Last night, we joked about Kyrie scoring 42 points with zero assists. It’s not that he doesn’t want to pass—those passes just come out of double teams. That leads to Klay or someone else benefiting from an open three-pointer or an easy layup. Hockey assists aren’t tracked in NBA stats, but they should be. He leads in points created by drawing defenders.”

This statement could be interpreted in multiple ways. Some believe Kidd was praising Irving’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates, while others saw it as yet another indirect dig at Doncic’s previous ball-dominant tendencies, implying that the team is now playing a more fluid, shared-offense style.

A Shift in the Mavericks’ Playing Style

Since becoming the primary leader of the Mavericks, Irving has stepped up significantly. He is currently averaging 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Notably, over the last five games, he has been logging an average of 41.4 minutes per game, an extremely high workload.

A major reason for Irving’s increased playing time is the Mavericks’ ongoing injury issues, including the absence of Anthony Davis. Davis was expected to be the team’s primary option, but injuries have prevented him from making the impact Dallas had envisioned.

This situation has raised questions: Can the Mavericks truly reach their full potential with the current roster? Is Irving capable of leading the team deep into the playoffs without consistent support from other stars?

Are the Mavericks Better Without Luka Doncic?

Was trading Luka Doncic truly the right move for the Mavericks?

There’s no denying that Doncic is one of the most talented players in the NBA, but his heavy ball dominance has been a controversial topic for years. During his time with the Mavericks, Doncic was at the center of almost every offensive possession, limiting opportunities for other players to get involved.

His departure has ushered in a new era for Dallas, where Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson have more freedom, the offensive system is more balanced, and the ball moves more efficiently.

However, it is still too early to determine whether the Mavericks are truly better off without Doncic. The remainder of the season will reveal whether the team can thrive with this new approach or if his absence will ultimately hold them back.

Doncic’s Next Chapter with the Lakers

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is experiencing a fresh start with the Los Angeles Lakers. While he has had to adjust his playing style, he is gradually learning how to fit alongside his new teammates. The Lakers have the potential to become title contenders, but much of their success will depend on whether Doncic can blend into a system led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The biggest question remains: Can Doncic modify his game to fit within a star-studded team, or will he continue to struggle with his high-usage tendencies?

Some believe that joining the Lakers could be a crucial learning experience for Doncic, allowing him to develop into a more well-rounded player. Others fear that he may find it difficult to adapt now that he is no longer the undisputed focal point of an offense.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 NBA season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in years, with major roster changes and shifting team dynamics. The Dallas Mavericks are adjusting to life without Luka Doncic, while Doncic is navigating his new role with the Lakers.

Jason Kidd may not have explicitly stated his opinion, but his comments have fueled an ongoing debate: Are the Mavericks truly better without Luka Doncic? Or was this trade simply a temporary setback for the franchise?

The answers will unfold as the season progresses. One thing is certain: both the Mavericks and the Lakers are entering a new and challenging chapter in their respective journeys.