Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban still has a distaste in his mouth after veteran guard Jason Kidd left the Mavs for the New York Knicks. Cuban says there is "no chance" that the Mavs will retire Kidd's No.2 jersey and raise it in the American Airlines Center.
That was Cuban's initial comment on his Tuesday appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's Ben and Skin Show. Cuban later explained more in detail to why he made such a comment.
"I was more than upset," Cuban said. "I thought he was coming. I was pissed. ...
"J. Kidd is a big boy; he can do whatever he wants. But you don't change your mind like that. That was ... yeah. I'm sure I'll get over it at some point, but as of now, I wouldn't put J. Kidd's number in the rafters."
Cuban admitted that Kidd's decision "hurt my feelings" because he thought they had developed a strong relationship and that the 39-year-old point guard was committed to the organization.
"He's a good guy, but I just thought that was wrong," Cuban said. "You can't put a guy's number in the rafters when he decides he doesn't want to be there."
Kidd, whose second stint in Dallas was highlighted by him playing a key role in the franchise's only NBA championship, agreed to sign a three-year, $9.5 million deal to stay with the Mavs, informing Cuban of his plans the morning of July 5. Those plans changed that afternoon.
Kidd called Cuban, but Cuban did not take the call because he was in a Washington, D.C. museum with his family. Cuban learned later that Kidd had changed his mind and agreed to go to the Knicks for the same money.
The Mavs ended up trading for point guard Darren Collison and signing shooting guard O.J. Mayo to make up those losses.