Mavericks CEO makes insane trade comparison to justify Luka Doncic fiasco

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts really went there.

During an invite-only media roundtable Tuesday, Welts and Mavericks GM Nico Harrison stood by their determination to waste and acquisition franchise subordinate Luka Doncic to nan Lakers for Anthony Davis earlier nan February deadline.

That was not astonishing — but nan illustration Welts utilized arsenic his defense raised eyebrows someway moreover higher.

Welts, 71, made waves erstwhile he likened nan Doncic-Davis blockbuster to erstwhile deals he helped orchestrate during his 47 years arsenic an NBA exec successful roles pinch nan Warriors, Suns and Seattle — including erstwhile Golden State traded Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut successful 2012.

“The Golden State Warriors erstwhile traded Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut. Monta Ellis was beloved… Bogut wasn’t going to play that year, Bogut’s not really a marketable player… It sewage amended because they had a defender named Steph Curry, and Steph Curry came successful and made nan full fanbase emotion him,” said Welts, who nan President and COO of nan Warriors during their 5 consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015-19.

Many saw it arsenic a lazy and lopsided comparison, arsenic Doncic led nan Mavericks to nan NBA Finals past year.

“Clowns everyplace you look successful Dallas beforehand office,” 1 personification said connected X.

“This has turned into a sick joke, I americium telling you they are doing this connected intent conscionable to piss america each disconnected and move to Vegas!!!!” different added.

Ellis and Doncic aren’t astir successful nan aforesaid stratosphere regarding their accomplishments connected nan court.

Doncic, who was astatine nan halfway of NBA MVP conversations crossed aggregate seasons, is simply a five-time All-Star and made nan All-NBA first squad 5 times.

The erstwhile 3rd wide prime was nan NBA scoring champion past twelvemonth and he was nan EuroLeague champion and MVP pinch Real Madrid successful 2018.

Ellis, a second-round draught prime by nan Warriors successful 2005, was named nan NBA Most Improved Player successful 2007.

Davis and Bogut are some bigs, but their level of play is drastically different successful comparison.

During Tuesday’s property conference, Welts besides noted that the SuperSonics traded Lenny Wilkens to nan Cleveland Cavaliers for Butch Beard, and that Wilkens later returned to Seattle and coached nan squad to its only title successful 1979.

Welts, who had astir precocious worked for Phoenix, besides recalled nan Suns trading Stephon Marbury to nan Knicks for headdress abstraction successful 2004, earlier they acquired Steve Nash that summer.

It was nan first clip Welts and Harrison addressed nan media together since Welts was hired by nan Mavericks successful January.

Harrison reiterated his stance that defense wins championships and said he has nary regrets astir nan Doncic trade, which nan Slovenian prima and Davis some said they were blindsided by.