Jason Kidd: It’s ‘cool’ that Luka Doncic trade is being compared to Babe Ruth

Jason Kidd: It’s ‘cool’ that Luka Doncic trade is being compared to Babe Ruth

Over two months have passed since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package headlined by Anthony Davis.

On Wednesday, Doncic makes his long-awaited return to Dallas for the first time since his departure, which still seems incomprehensible. The Mavericks suffered myriad injuries and unfortunate luck after dealing him, with many wondering if the Mavericks became “cursed.”

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd discussed the possible parallels between the Doncic trade and the infamous Babe Ruth trade in 1919 ahead of Wednesday’s game, saying the comparison was “kind of cool.”

I don’t know how much Kidd follows baseball. I don’t mean to be an alarmist, but the Mavericks are the Boston Red Sox in this situation, who were “cursed” out of winning a World Series for 86 years; that’s how the Curse of the Bambino works. I don’t make the rules.

That doesn’t mean Dallas won’t win another NBA Title until 2111 (if my math is correct), but this comparison isn’t as “cool” as Kidd thinks it is. Babe Ruth was a Hall of Famer for the Red Sox’s rival. The Lakers aren’t the primary rival for the Mavericks, but there’s a chance Doncic builds a better legacy outside of Dallas.

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison did unquestionably lose part of the fanbase with the trade and the Mavericks likely won’t be anywhere near title contention without Doncic for the next few seasons. He was the biggest reason why they got back there for the first time in over a decade last summer. At worst, he’s a top-5 player in the sport when healthy. It’s still insane they did it.

We will see how the Mavericks try to put Band-Aids on this irreparable ship over the next several years. Without Kyrie Irving for next season (torn ACL), they’re way more than just one Doncic-player away from making any noise.

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