Coaches React to Backlash After Mavericks Trade Luka Doncic

DALLAS, Texas — NBA coaches Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors addressed the emotional turmoil among fans following the Mavericks’ recent trade of star player Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Max Christie on February 13, 2025. Both coaches expressed sympathy for the fans who feel deeply invested in their teams and players.

Kerr, who refrained from commenting on other teams’ player movements in detail, acknowledged the backlash faced by the Mavericks after the trade. “I have been following the stuff with the fans,” Kerr remarked before Wednesday’s game. “Death threats for Nico, it’s brutal. It’s really sad and you kind of feel for everybody because it’s a very emotional business. It’s what drives the business.”

Kerr recounted his own experience with fan backlash while serving as the general manager of the Phoenix Suns, recalling that he received death threats after trading Shawn Marion for Shaquille O'Neal. “I traded Shawn Marion for Shaq and I got death threats. E-mail death threats. Our security in Phoenix looked into it and I was never overly concerned, but it’s still pretty disconcerting when somebody threatens your life,” he explained.

Kidd emphasized the importance of focusing on basketball despite external pressures. “We have the best fans in the league. They can come and cheer and boo if they don’t like the way we’re playing. But I don’t think the fans are booing the effort. The guys are playing as hard as they can,” he said.

He also noted that during games, coaches and players tend to concentrate on the action at hand. “As a coach or player, you’re so locked in there’s really just white noise out there,” Kidd added. “You don’t hear or see people in the stands.”

On a lighter note, Kerr welcomed the recent addition of Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, highlighting the positive impact Butler has on the team’s dynamics. “When he can get off the ball, we can break the defense down with someone else,” Kerr stated. “That’s what really makes our offense more dynamic.”

Kidd, who missed the postgame news conference after a loss to Sacramento earlier in the week, explained his absence. “I felt bad. Thank you for your grace and the NBA for their grace of the situation. We lost a tough game and I just needed some time to regroup,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges that come with leading a team through difficult times, stating, “We’re asking a lot of guys to do things they never thought they’d be asked to do. You try to get some rest so you can give the best advice.”

Kerr, who has coached Anthony Davis throughout his career, praised Davis’s defensive abilities. “I think he’s the best defensive center in the world,” Kerr stated. “He is a phenomenal defender with what he’s capable of in the paint and switching onto guards down the stretch of games.”

In conclusion, both coaches emphasized acknowledgment for fan emotions while also stressing the need for respectful expressions of those feelings. As the Mavericks and Warriors navigate these complex dynamics, the importance of maintaining a positive community in sports remains a priority.