I can say without question that this was the most amazing, annoying and difficult deal we have ever done since I bought the Mavs.
The annoyance. One agent who made a truism of the saying that "no good deed goes unpunished". That said, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Devean George. He told me that he would trust his agent as he had done for the last 10 years and take whatever may with that decision. He had the balls to stick to it. Even with people yelling and screaming at him. That said, as I write this, I really have no clue why the agent made the decision he did.
The dirt. Peter Vescey's ridiculous assertion that Avery asked me to trade Dirk. Even in the Nellie years where we discussed trading every other player on the roster, Dirk was never mentioned. There has never been a discussion of trading Dirk during my tenure, EVER. Vescey's source is an out and out liar.
The thing about dealing with the media in this business is that they thrive on rumors and get bored with reality.
For example. Several local media outlets had no interest in sending anyone to New Orleans to cover the All Star game or Dirk's appearance there. That changed once the trade rumors started. Then all of the sudden, every media person they could find was there. Newscasts led with the rumors. Newspapers speculated and comments on the impact of the rumors if true or not true. There was reporting on rumors about rumors. All of which is fine. I get that and in many many ways, its good for the Mavs and the NBA. It drives interest.
My job, Donnie and Avery's jobs include trying to protect the team from those rumors. The fact of the matter is, we are going to "love our team" no matter what. Every team can be made better with the right deal. We are always going to be opportunistic and try to improve, but we are not going to add any fodder to the rumor mill. Until this deal, we were always able to keep things quiet. To their credit, the NY media takes things to another level, or low, depending on your point of view.
The difficult. Saying goodbye to Devin, Gana and Trenton. All 3 are great guys in every way. On and off the court. It was far from an easy deal to make. We know that all 3 will continue to grow and get better and like other players we have traded or lost, come back to haunt us in some manner. That comes with every and any trade of players who are talented and work hard at their profession. I also think this will be a great chance for Mo Ager to start fresh.
The amazing. We think that Jason Kidd will immediately make the other players around him better. He is a different kind of point than Devin is. There are certain things that Devin does that JKidd can't. No question about it. That said, through experience and talent, we think JKidd can make the game easier for JET, Dirk , Josh, Damp, Stack and all of our guys and as a result make our team better.
The business side. I think we were stagnating some. I think the spark and excitement that JKidd will bring is more than just what his talent offers. There is a reason why Kobe and Lebron were lobbying management to bring JKidd in. We think he will recharge the batteries of not just our players, but the organization, fans, media and even merchandise and advertising sales.
That's the reality of this business. Wins and losses are not just about talent, its about energy and teamwork. The best leaders recognize when a spark is needed and are honest enough to admit it, and get it. Even when things are going well, its sometimes hard to sustain the energy of being a start up or of levels year past. In business it might be an acquisition, or a sale that may not be the perfect transaction, but its the most impactful. We have been discussing this now for at least a month. We think this deal will have impact.
I've said before this was the best NBA season ever. It just got a little better.
Doing the Deal and Dishing the Dirt
Reader Comments
(Page 2)22. Great job Mark. This guarantees nothing, but as a fan, I am glad to see you guys take a chance at greatness. The team may fail, but nobody can say you didn't try.
On an unrelated note, I must say that I miss Bob Ortegel on the TV broadcast. As a long time Mavs fan, I love Brad Davis, but I don't think he adds much to the broadcast and is better suited for radio.
Just my opinion, but I would love to see Bob back on tv.
Posted at 3:52PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Ben
23. I honestly thought the first sentence of your blog pertained to your supposed purchase of the Chicago Cubs.
Posted at 4:06PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Bill
24. Mark,
I didn't like the trade when I heard about it and I have to admit that I still don't. However, I have to trust that you and Avery know what you're doing. Go Mavs!
MFFL
Bill
Posted at 4:10PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Bill White
25. congrats on getting j kidd. watching games in the ny area the only reason to tune into nets games was to watch one of the best passing point guards in the history of the nba (along with cousy, magic, stockton, isiah, nash). now that he's gone i'll watch the mavs on league pass and tune out nets games (unless vince starts playing like dr j. again).
as far as trading harris for kidd and sacrificing youth for age, mavs fans keep this mind: not too long ago kidd mentioned that he wants to model his career on stockton and play at a high level until age 40, healthy permitting. that kidd is playing the best ball of his career at age 34 going on 35 and seems to have made a full recovery from microfracture is a good sign that he can extend his career like stockton (though stockton never had surgery on his legs). dallas should not treat this as a win this year or bust. this should be a 2, even 3 year window with kidd at the height of his powers, as long as there's a backup who allows him to play 30-35 minutes to keep him fresh for the end of games (note how stockton's minutes gradually decreased allowing him to maintain his quality of play as he hit his late 30s).
also, as a frequent viewer of kidd during his time in nj, kidd gets knocked for having a weak jumper, but when it's late in the fourth quarter his shooting percentage increases dramatically. the guy has been a clutch player and has made big shots repeatedly. hopefully you will soon see the same results in big d. as far as i can tell the only reason kidd never has been a consistent shooter is due to his balance -- he leans when he shoots and as a result shoots at a moving target. not sure he can fix that this late in his career (he seems to make a lot of tough shots when off the dribble/leaning and that probably became addictive) but when he's balanced he's even deadlier, like when he spots up.
kudos to mark for sucking it up and accepting the extra cost for making the deal even without devean george. cuban put his money where his mouth is knowing kidd gives dallas the best chance of winning.
as we all know boxscores don't tell the whole story. j kidd's will to win and thirst for a title should be even more valuable than his alley-oops to dirk, josh, and stackhouse.
Posted at 4:10PM on Feb 19th 2008 by derek
26. Everyone, encluding myself, know Kidd's game is about eliciting the very best from his teammates. The Mavericks need a motivator like Kidd around. what a great reunion for you guys.
p.s. Mark Cuban, the owner, should teach me how to make billions like him, lol. GO MAVS!
Posted at 4:10PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Eric Buckley
27. I like the trade. I reduce it to a nutshell Devin Harris or J Kidd? J Kidd is just the tougher, better basketball player. Maybe Harris will be better two years down the line but Dirk, Terry and Stackhouse certainly won't be.
Posted at 4:16PM on Feb 19th 2008 by David DiCicco
28. As much as you like to blame George's agent, the real blame lies with you for not checking to see if George would approve this trade BEFORE submitting it to the league.
Posted at 4:18PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Wes
29. Thanks for sharing your thought process and giving us additional insight into trade. I just pray that Kidd can play at an all-star level for the next few years. Do you think you can pull off another trade with the expiring contracts of George, Ju. Howard, or Jones to bring in a back up center or upgrade at the SG position? Keep up the good work.
Posted at 4:19PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Bo Schwarz
30. Mark,
I was thinking about this trade today and while I dreaded it, I realized that I had this same dread when you traded Nash and Finley but each time we got better. And anyone who regrets losing Nash, I guess, doesn't see that. I'm with you 1000% Mavs! I'm gonna buy a Kidd jersey first chance I get. Do you think J-Kidd would sign his rookie card if I mailed it to him? I'm very trusting!
Also, be honest...you had something to do with all the craziness of this deal. You shrew, out-spoken puppetmaster, you.
Posted at 4:21PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Jon Boyle
31. I love this trade. As a fan, I agree that the team needed a 'jolt'. Harris is very good, but he doesn't make other players better and he can't create offense in the halfcourt. I just don't see him as the point guard for a championship team, unless maybe he's teamed with a dominant 2 guard. Kidd can absolutely close the deal.
Posted at 4:23PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Jeff
33. I think that this is possibly the best fit mid season in the history of the NBA. Don't get me wrong. I was the LEADER of the Devin Harris bandwagon and I think he is and will be a PHENOMENAL force in the NBA. However; I think that with the spot up scoring capabilities of Dirk, Josh, and Jason Terry; the creative assist style and court awareness of Jason Kidd will make this team THE force to be reckoned with in the West. Devin Harris is quick as a hiccup but does not have the awarenes or dynamic positioning to become a distributing point guard on a team of scoring threats,,,yet. He is dangerous in driving and scoring a layup before defenses are even able to react. Jason Kidd will also find Eric Dampier who is one of the best screening centers in the NBA as far as positioning and sealing defenders. He will become a serious threat down low. Brandon Bass playes larger than he is and will also improve in scoring down low, which he dunks at will with power over(or through)ANYBODY. All these things don't even BEGIN to matchup to Jason Kidd's leadership abilities which are beyond priceless when it comes to the post season. It also relieves some phantom pressure on Dirk to be responsible to naysayers when something doesn't go right. You will never again doubt the effort or mental toughness of this team again, because JKidd is blatantly agressive in his playing, while most people think Dirk is soft. Dirks game is not soft, it is graceful and deceptive. Enough out of me-- I will miss Devin Harris- but I will throw a HELL of a Championship party this year!
Thank you again Mark Cuban. You are the one man still alive I wish I could meet and pick your brain to understand your habits of thought.
email me anytime
Stephen Way
sway@blakemantrans.com
Posted at 4:29PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Stephen Way
34. I think the team did improve by this trade but I also think considering what the Kings got for Bibby, Mavs gave up too much by including the 2 #1's. Also, Mavs/Avery always preach defense, defense, defense and they consdier Harris to be the best defensive PG in the league. Now they trade the best defensive player on their team so it is hard to get the players to "buy-in" to D when you do that. Re-sign Fazekas! Go MAVS! MFFL.
Posted at 4:29PM on Feb 19th 2008 by tdon
35. I think this is a huge mistake that the mavs would regret. It seems it was a rushed deal. Not only is the mavs losing a promising devin harris, it's also losing 2 first round picks and to top it all $3million just to get a 35 year old point guard. It seems the mavs are trying to make up for losing nash but only that they are giving up so much to make a deal. With out without Jason kid I don't believe the mavs would make it to the conference finals. So why trade your future for something that wouldn't give you a championship. The miami heat did the same thing and now they are at the bottom of the conference. Shaq has taken his millions and left them to do the rebuilding project. This is really a bad deal. My opinion
Posted at 4:32PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Dapsy
36. Awesome job Mark!
Thanks for hanging tough and getting it done.
I can't wait to watch the new team.
Posted at 4:35PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Carter Tracht
37. I think that you will realize this is a bad trade when Damp fouls out and Dirk has to play the five and eventually fouls out and all you have left is Kidd to go against Duncan, Shaq, and Gasol. All your "reasons" for not opening your wallet for Steve are suddenly good reasons to get Kidd??? The only good thing about this is that you had to pay more money because of Van Horn. I call that karma at it's best. I wish you luck but I can't ride the bad trade express any longer. It was fun being a season ticket holder but no more.
Posted at 4:39PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Mary Sue
38. Aren't you embarrassed for letting Nash go now. I know hindsight is 20-20 but, age and money are still real concerns in this deal.
Posted at 4:40PM on Feb 19th 2008 by clarence
39. I like this trade, I was upset the first time we let Kidd go... I knew he would be a great player and I'm excited to see what he brings to our team. Even if Kidd's life span is only a few years I think he'll bring what we need when it comes to playoff time...
40. I can't believe we just paid through the nose for a 35 year old who can't shoot or play defense anymore. Now, he is known for putting up meaningless triple doubles.
Sometimes, it's best to just ride things out with a team and let it develop. This was a panic move and the Mavs are going to regret it. Who cares that the Lakers got Gasol? Kobe just ruined his pinky finger. They aren't a huge threat this year anyway. Shaq? Please.
This is really disappointing to see a panic move like this. Wait until Kidd infests this lockerroom with his immaturity. He'll be out until all hours of the night partying before games. He'll make sure he gets to call all of the shots. I'll miss you, Avery Johnson. Kidd is the coach now. And if Kidd does not get his way, he will have Avery fired just has he has had 5 other coaches fired in his career.
Not to mention that he has a bad character. How can we root for someone who disrespects everyone except himself? He doesn't care about us, or anyone. He'll use us to try to get his stinkin' title, and if he doesn't get it, he'll turn on us.
Posted at 5:02PM on Feb 19th 2008 by John
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21. At first, I hated the idea of this trade. As time went by I realized that it will probably be good for the Mavs. There is a window of oppurtunity with Dirk and that window is getting smaller. I will miss Devin, but by the time he developed into the great player we think he will become, Dirk's window may be closed. Also, a thank you to Devean George, this second trade is much better than the first. Of course, you probably really disagree with me since it has cost you a large sum of money. Good luck to all of you!
Posted at 3:48PM on Feb 19th 2008 by Amanda