Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle might have sabotaged Luka Doncic by endorsing Jason Kidd over assistant Jamahl Mosley.

The Mavs are nearing an agreement with Kidd to become their new head coach after Carlisle publicly endorsed him on Thursday. Tim MacMahon of ESPN opined Carlisle made the comments because he might have been threatened by Doncic's relationship with his Mosley:

“Screw it, I'm going to stop being delicate. I think it got to a point where Rick perceived Jamahl Mosley's close relationship with Luka Doncic as a threat to him,” MacMahon said, via RealGM. “I don't think those guys will necessarily send each other Christmas cards. And look, who's right? Who's wrong? Whatever. I do know this: players I've talked to… Luka's not the only guy on that team who is extremely close to Jamahl Mosley. [He's] developed great relationships with players throughout his career.”

Things have been moving very quickly in Dallas.

The first sign of trouble came when a report surfaced regarding former executive Haralabos Voulgaris' influence within the Mavs organization. Longtime general manager Donnie Nelson stepped down, followed by Carlisle.

Now, Carlisle said he learned “many things” from Doncic and suggested Kidd in part because he thought the former Mavs point guard could impart his wisdom on Luka. Still, it's no secret Carlisle and Doncic had a bit of a strained relationship, nor was it an unknown that Doncic has a real affinity for Mosley.

What's interesting is MacMahon's note that Mosley has close relationships with numerous other players on the Mavs roster. One has to wonder whether Carlisle was aware of Mosley's standing and whether personal feelings got in the way.