Practically six months after Dallas shocked the NBA world by buying and selling Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts remains to be defending the transfer, even when his clarification has left many scratching their heads.
Welts insisted that the backlash from followers was not fully detrimental. “You’ll be able to’t have fears or regrets on this enterprise, it’s all about how you progress ahead,” Welts stated showing on Bloomberg TV, . “… I realized concerning the depth of the connection between Mavericks followers and this group. And that to me was a glass half-full as a result of I knew we might restore that over time. I didn’t assume it could fairly as rapidly because it’s maybe because it’s occurred.”
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts on if the group regrets buying and selling Luka Dončić:
“You’ll be able to’t have fears or regrets on this enterprise, it’s all about how you progress ahead. …I realized concerning the depth of the connection between Mavericks followers and this group.” #MFFL
(🎥: @BloombergTV) pic.twitter.com/FTbTo8jbzb
— Kevin Grey Jr. (@KevinGraySports) July 30, 2025
That “depth of connection” Welts praised was proven when followers protested outdoors American Airways Heart, demanded firings within the entrance workplace, and canceled season tickets.
Welts continued by pointing to Luka’s return to Dallas in a Lakers uniform as proof the group dealt with issues the proper manner.
“I might additionally say I’m extremely happy with how the group introduced itself for Luka’s first sport again at American Airways Heart when he was a Los Angeles Laker,” he stated. “In the event you watch that sport, it was a chance for followers to say ‘thanks.’ I feel you noticed the emotion on Luka’s face, you noticed the way in which that evening unfolded in tributes to Luka. I feel he’ll all the time be such an enormous a part of the historical past right here. We want him nothing however good luck and we additionally hope we beat his group each time we play them.”
In actuality, that evening felt far much less like a celebration. Followers chanted “Fireplace Nico” inside seconds, vented frustration about shedding their franchise star, after which watched Doncic torch Dallas for 45 factors in a revenge efficiency.
READ MORE: EuroLeague CEO Says NBA Europe League Might ‘Create Confusion’
