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Although undermanned against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Dallas Mavericks were shocked. Besides general manager Nico Harrison, no one on the Mavericks knew that Dallas would rock the NBA by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. It's why Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd became a meme after his real-time reaction to Harrison's comments on trading Doncic. Moreover, it's why Dallas was steamrolled by Cleveland 144-101.
“Shock, but unfortunately, I’ve been in this league for a long, long time,” said Kidd. “So I’ve seen a lot. I’ve been involved in trades by the very… by the Mavericks. And so it is part of the business. It is a little shocking, but in the sense that we have to push forward as an organization and as a team. We have a game to play, and we have to be pros about it. But we understand what Luka has meant to the Mavericks, and we wish him and his family the best in L.A.”
Against the Cavs, the Mavericks went through the motions, getting routinely torched by Cleveland on the perimeter. The Cavs called off the dogs with only five minutes left in the third quarter, with none of Cleveland's starters playing more than 20 minutes. The loss was a terrible look for a Dallas team looking to respond after trading one of the world's greatest players. However, what stood out even more was the lesson that any NBA team can appreciate.
A move like the Mavericks made was a mistake and could set their franchise back for decades.
The Mavericks' mistake sends a message to the Cavs and other NBA teams
Now that the dust has settled, it's no secret that Dallas was frustrated with Doncic's lack of professionalism. Regardless, the audacity to trade away Doncic, one of the world's greatest players, is bold. However, not keeping your team or coaching staff in the loop until the eleventh hour is wreckless. That recklessness translated directly onto the floor in the Mavericks' loss to the Cavs and could indicate what's to come.
For those who aren't familiar with Dallas's operation, Doncic was heliocentric to the team's offense. While that might contradict Harrison's belief that defense is the key to the Mavericks' winning a championship, permanently removing Doncic from the equation is the equivalent of turning a basket upside down. This move has created instability for Dallas. And as a team trying to claw their way into the postseason, trading Doncic could be their breaking point.
“Coaches yearn for (stability), especially when you’re good,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said postgame. “And I think it takes real, real belief, like (Cavs general manager Koby Altman) has said about this team — and not only the talent but the character. Because we all know, you guys (media members) especially, you’re always saying, ‘Man, it didn’t work. You didn’t win the championship, so you have to change.’
“Sometimes teams are too quick to change, too quick to change something or change a roster. This (team) is kind of proof that it can work if you stick with it. Obviously, we’ve got to confirm that in the playoffs, but everybody always screams for change if it doesn’t work out exactly like it should.”
Why Cleveland's method for success is their continuity
Unlike the Mavericks, the Cavs likely won't look to make a dramatic trade leading up to the NBA's annual trade deadline. That's because, for Cleveland, continuity is the key to success, and Dallas's lack of cohesion could play a part in other teams mimicking how Cleveland is cooking.
That's why Atkinson mentioned how important the Cavs' stability is. Heading into this season, many called for Cleveland to blow up their roster to contend for a title. Despite this, the Cavs came into this season with essentially the same group. At the time, many questioned Cleveland's thought process. However, now that they're considered a title threat, no one is questioning the Cavs' decision-making.
With that in mind, NBA teams might reconsider making dramatic moves like Dallas has. Shaking things up just for the sake of change usually doesn't work out. Instead, remaining even-keeled could and should be the approach going forward.
