Mavericks Struggling at 4-12 After Controversial Loss to Knicks
The Dallas Mavericks dropped to a disappointing 4-12 record after Wednesday’s controversial loss to the New York Knicks. They’ve now lost two straight games and are just 2-8 in their last 10.
It’s been a rough start to the season for Dallas, to say the least.
Injuries have hit the team hard, with several key players sidelined since the beginning of the year. But the problems run deeper than that.
Despite having talent on the roster, the Mavs just aren’t clicking. The team seems stuck at a crossroads, with trade rumors swirling around some of their veteran players.
Adding to the drama, head coach Jason Kidd found himself addressing speculation that he nearly left for the Knicks during the offseason.
“I was never thinking about leaving Dallas,” Kidd insisted on Wednesday.
The Knicks situation has been a persistent storyline. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, New York fired Tom Thibodeau despite him leading the franchise to its first ECF appearance in 25 years.
League sources confirmed the Knicks had their sights set on Kidd and formally requested to interview him.
Dallas quickly shut that down. The Mavericks not only denied the interview request but doubled down by giving Kidd a multi-year extension in October – a clear message that their coach wasn’t going anywhere.
Kidd himself seemed to squash any lingering rumors about his interest in the Knicks job.
“I was drafted here. I won here. I love the city. I love the fans. So, it never crossed my mind to leave Dallas,” he told reporters.
Now in his 10th season as an NBA head coach, Kidd has spent half that time with the Mavericks. His Dallas tenure has produced a 183-161 record over five seasons, including one memorable playoff run to the NBA Finals.
That Finals team, of course, still had Luka Doncic – who’s now with the Lakers after former GM Nico Harrison’s controversial trade. Harrison didn’t last long after that decision, with team owner Patrick Dumont firing him earlier this month.
The front office remains in flux. Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley are currently serving as co-interim GMs while the search for Harrison’s replacement continues.
Interestingly, reports suggest Kidd has gained more organizational influence since Harrison’s departure.
The big question now is what direction the team will take. They’re trying to compete in the tough Western Conference while simultaneously fielding trade calls about their veterans.
For a franchise that reached the NBA Finals not long ago, the lack of clear direction is becoming increasingly concerning for fans and players alike.
