DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are hosting Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Since Doncic was traded to the Lakers, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and team owner Patrick Dumont have received backlash from fans. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd is not giving up on them, though, telling reporters before Wednesday's game that “we believe in Nico and Patrick.”

Kidd said that he believes Harrison and Dumont can help build a championship-caliber team. The Mavericks head coach understands many fans were frustrated with the trade. In fact, Kidd even said that fans “should cheer” for Doncic in Wednesday's game.

With that being said, he also isn't giving up on the team's future.

Jason Kidd not giving up on Mavericks

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For Jason Kidd, he was forced to adjust in a short matter of time as a head coach. Running a team through Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as compared to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving is quite different. AD then suffered an injury in his first game back, while Irving later suffered a season-ending torn ACL.

Davis has since returned, but Kidd has had to continue to adjust throughout the 2024-25 season. He isn't one to make excuses, but it has been a challenging season for the head coach.

Yet, the Mavericks are still in contention for a play-in spot. Dallas could clinch a postseason position soon. Will they be able to make a deep playoff run? It would be quite surprising with Irving injured, but anything is possible.

Kidd has done an impressive job of helping to keep the Mavs in contention, however. He is hopeful that Nico Harrison and Patrick Dumont can continue to add talent around Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. When healthy, this Mavs roster could make some noise in the playoffs down the road.