One Luka Doncic question makes Mavericks front office pause before answering

The Dallas Mavericks parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd on Tuesday after 5 seasons in charge. New team president Masai Ujiri made the call just two weeks after taking the job in May 2026.

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Kidd had 4 years and $40M remaining on his contract extension but still got shown the door. The move completes a stunning organizational overhaul after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade in February 2025.

General manager Nico Harrison was fired in November 2025 after shipping Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Davis played just 29 games in Dallas before the Mavericks traded him to the Washington Wizards at the 2026 deadline.

The Mavericks cratered to a 26-56 record and missed the playoffs entirely for the second straight season. Every key figure and asset tied to that blockbuster deal has now been removed from the organization.

Ujiri addressed the Doncic trade directly at his introductory press conference in Dallas earlier this month.

“In Africa, we say when kings go, kings come. And a king went and we have a little prince here. Now we’re going to turn him into a king,” Ujiri said.

Shams Charania reported that Ujiri wanted a clean slate with the Kidd firing. The focus now shifts entirely to building around 2026 Kia Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

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“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team,” Ujiri said in a presser.

Mavs team president Masai Ujiri on did the Luka Doncic trade play a part in firing Jason Kidd:

“No it did not play any part.” pic.twitter.com/MBYVNFRZTy

— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) May 20, 2026

Ujiri holds total authority over basketball operations and is steering the franchise toward a youth movement around Flagg.

The next head coach will be tasked with developing Flagg as the new centerpiece of the Dallas franchise.

Dallas also owns the 9th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft to bolster the young roster.

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