Luka Doncic may have moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers, but his connection to the Dallas Mavericks remains unshakable. Even as the team finds success post-trade, new revelations continue to emerge about the decision that sent their former star packing.

This time, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts has made a surprising admission regarding the trade, while a former team executive has shed light on Doncic’s impact within the organization.

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts shares stunning insight on Luka Doncic’s trade

In the aftermath of Luka Doncic’s departure, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts reflected on the reaction to the trade and admitted he underestimated its emotional impact. “I thought I’d seen everything in my 47 years in the NBA, but clearly this was different… I probably underestimated the reaction… It’s incredibly emotional, an incredibly difficult time for so many people,“ Welts shared with The Dallas Morning News.

His remarks acknowledge the deep bond Doncic had with Dallas Mavericks fans and the organization.

The Slovenian guard wasn’t just a talented player; he was the face of the franchise and an icon in the city. The decision to trade him sparked a wave of mixed emotions among fans and analysts alike. However, Welts is quite optimistic about the team’s future. “…But I still believe we’re going to come out on the other side, with a future that’s incredibly bright,” he added.

Despite losing Doncic and dealing with Anthony Davis’ injury, the Mavericks have continued to perform well. Max Christie has emerged as a standout performer adding up to the team’s win. Of course, the trade was not easy on the Mavericks’ part, and general manager Nico Harrison and the management received intense criticism following the blockbuster yet shocking trade. Harrison was even at the receiving end of death threats after the trade.

Former Dallas Mavericks executive reveals that Luka Doncic terrified everyone

While the Mavericks’ front office has tried to move forward, a former executive has opened up about the internal environment during Doncic’s tenure. Haralabos Voulgaris, who worked with the team from 2018 to 2021, revealed some unexpected insights into how the franchise handled its superstar.

“Every person who worked at the Mavericks, except for me, was terrified of this guy,” Voulgaris said on the My First Million podcast.

“(They) wanted to kiss his (expletive) while he was there so they could secure their future.”

He also shared a common critique of Doncic’s approach to conditioning and discipline. “He doesn’t take his conditioning seriously, he doesn’t take his diet seriously,” Voulgaris continued. “This is all true… But it’s like, great, you can correct these things.” It is no secret that the Mavericks have been quite insistent on his fitness concern citing it was one of the primary reasons for his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Also Read: Anthony Edwards took a subtle jab at the Dallas Mavericks hilariously responding to Luka Doncic’s weight

While Doncic’s exit remains a hot topic, the Mavericks are forging a new path. Anthony Davis who joined the Mavericks after the trade has been riddled with injury but the team is confident in their roaster while expecting Davis’ comeback in the near future.