Luka Doncic compared to role player in leaked Dallas Mavericks front office remarks involving CEW Rick Welts | NBA News
The Dallas Mavericks‘ front office continues to face backlash after a closed-door media session revealed a controversial comparison involving Luka Doncic. Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and GM Nico Harrison met with select members of the press on Tuesday under strict no-recording rules, and details from the session have since leaked, sparking outrage among fans.
Rick Welts controversial Luka Doncic comparison
During the private meeting, Rick Welts drew a parallel between the Mavericks’ acquisition of Anthony Davis and the Golden State Warriors’ 2012 trade of Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut. Welts, who served as Warriors president from 2011 to 2021, suggested that just as Golden State improved after moving Ellis—allowing Steph Curry to thrive—Dallas could see similar benefits from pairing Davis with a younger star.
The problem? Welts’ analogy positioned Luka Doncic as the equivalent of Ellis, a solid but far less impactful player, rather than Curry, the franchise cornerstone. Given Doncic’s status as a perennial MVP candidate, the comparison immediately drew criticism for undervaluing the Slovenian superstar.
Fan reaction and front office fallout
Unsurprisingly, Mavericks fans were quick to condemn the remarks, viewing them as another misstep from a front office already under fire. The lack of recorded evidence from the session only fueled skepticism, as Welts’ comments circulate without full context.
This incident adds to growing frustrations over the team’s handling of the Luka Doncic trade saga, further eroding trust in Dallas’ leadership. With more details expected to emerge from the private presser, Rick Welts’ Ellis comparison may stand out as the most tone-deaf moment in a series of PR disasters.
Why the Rick Welts analogy misses the mark
Beyond the surface-level insult to Doncic, the comparison ignores key differences between the two scenarios. Curry was a rising star at the time of the Ellis trade, while Luka Doncic is already a proven superstar carrying the Mavericks. Equating him to a secondary player like Ellis only reinforces concerns about how the organization views its franchise centerpiece.
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As backlash grows, the Mavericks’ front office now faces even tougher questions about their long-term vision—and whether they truly grasp the value of the player they’re building around.
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