06-12-2025, 02:56 PM
Maybe this is a simplistic take, but I feel like, as long as Cuban was active, Kidd sort of had a buffer between Nico and himself. Or at least Nico realized there was a power dynamic between the two that didn't go through him. So he sort of had a governor on his actions to at least check in with the other MBT members before pursuing a decision.
But that changed after Cubes sold of his majority stake and the new owners decided they didn't really need his involvement in team management anymore. Then you had Luka's lost training camp and the crappy start to the season, which fed into a narrative that let Nico justify THE TRADE. Along the way he showed Kidd who is really making decisions now, so Jason was now supposed to just shut up and coach.
FWIW, I think the fanbase reaction, the press reaction and the AD injury situation have conspired to pinch off Nico's power play. A kneejerk decision without considering the consequences isn't a good look for a contending NBA team.
But that changed after Cubes sold of his majority stake and the new owners decided they didn't really need his involvement in team management anymore. Then you had Luka's lost training camp and the crappy start to the season, which fed into a narrative that let Nico justify THE TRADE. Along the way he showed Kidd who is really making decisions now, so Jason was now supposed to just shut up and coach.
FWIW, I think the fanbase reaction, the press reaction and the AD injury situation have conspired to pinch off Nico's power play. A kneejerk decision without considering the consequences isn't a good look for a contending NBA team.
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