Mavs' Jason Kidd's Confusing Coaching Decision Receives No Clarity
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd questioned the team's effort and energy following Friday's 114-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns. However, for a team missing multiple starters due to injuries, perhaps the coach deserves questioning as to why he hasn't played multiple defensive players on the bench.
Following Sunday's 122-120 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Kidd offered no clarity regarding a certain coaching decision.
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Quentin Grimes and Maxi Kleber received zero minutes vs. the Nuggets despite three key rotation players being out due to injury. Without Dereck Lively II, the Mavs' defense has suffered, and missing P.J. Washington Jr. doubles down on their issues. Without Dante Exum, as he recovers from wrist surgery, the Mavs need a guard with defensive acumen. However, Kidd opted to trust Jaden Hardy for 19 minutes.
While Hardy earned his three-year, $18 million contract extension, Grimes doesn't have clarity about his future with the Mavericks. Following both parties' failure to agree to a deal by the rookie contract extension deadline, it seems Grimes hasn't received much burn in Kidd's rotation.
Averaging a mere 12 minutes per contest, the preseason star, outside of Lively and Jazian Gortman, deserved better than to watch the black hole that is Hardy compromise the Mavericks on Sunday evening.
When asked why Grimes and Kleber didn't play in Sunday's matchup in Denver, Kidd said they didn't play due to "coach's decision" and refused to offer any further clarity. Although Kidd has the right not to share such information, creating an enigma will only hinder the Mavs if they can't find a trade partner for Grimes or come to a mutual understanding.
However, if Grimes received a DNP for warranted reasons, perhaps one game isn't worth the overreactions. Regardless of the cause, questions will follow when the coach demands energy and defense and opts not to play a 3-and-D weapon in a contract year.
