Eventual Hall of Famer Jason Kidd was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the second overall pick in 1994 and played there until joining the Phoenix Suns in 1996. From there he would move on to the New Jersey Nets before returning to Dallas in 2008, where he played through last season. Kidd ranks third in Mavs history in assists (4,211), second in steals (954), fourth in three-pointers (778), and helped get owner Mark Cuban a championship ring in 2011.
Earlier this summer the veteran point guard opted to trade American Airlines Center for Madison Square Garden when he signed a three-year year deal with the New York Knicks. The decision didn’t sit well with Cuban who went into detail during a recent radio interview.
“I was more than upset,” Cuban told the Ben and Skin show on 103.3 [KESN-FM]. “I thought he was coming (back). I was pissed.”
“J-Kidd’s a big boy, he can do whatever he wants,” Cuban said. “But you don’t change your mind like that. I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point, but as of right now, I wouldn’t put J-Kidd’s number in the rafters.”
“I like J-Kidd,” Cuban added. “He’s a good guy. But I just thought that was wrong. You can’t put a guy’s number in the rafters when he decides he doesn’t want to be there.”
Cuban concluded: “It hurt my feelings, period, because I thought that we had developed a relationship and I thought [Kidd] was committed to the organization. It sure seemed like he was. I mean, J-Kidd was active in going out there and talking to Deron Williams the whole time. I guess it was more shocking and surprising than anything else.”
Kidd’s former teammate Jason Terry, who also skipped town this offseason to sign with the Boston Celtics, may someday have his #31 hanging from the rafters at AAC because the situation behind his departure was different. Atleast according to Mark Cuban.
At the moment Brad Davis‘ #15 and Rolando Blackman‘s #22 are the only jerseys retired the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki’s #41 is certain to join them. As for Jason Kidd or Jason Terry your guess is as good as mine.
