After the Dallas Mavericks’ tough loss to the Sacramento Kings, Jason Kidd, usually the one to face reporters head-on, surprised everyone by skipping his post-game press conference. Reporters, some with decades of experience, mentioned it was the first time they’d witnessed such a move. The absence only added fuel to the fire, as the Mavericks were still reeling from a trade that stunned the NBA world just weeks earlier: Luka Dončić was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that shocked the team and its fans.

To make matters worse, injuries were piling up, forcing the Mavs into a corner. After the loss to the Warriors he said, “We lost a tough game. Another player is out. I just needed time to regroup,” he said. Rick Welts, the CEO of the franchise, reflected on the situation with a sense of disbelief. “I thought I’d seen everything in my 47 years, but this… this is different,” he confessed. However, their starting center, Daniel Gafford’s knee sprain, was the latest blow, keeping him sidelined for weeks. In response, Dallas has now signed 7-foot-2 Moses Brown to a 10-day contract, hoping his size and depth would fill the gap. With Anthony Davis and several other players injured, the team desperately needed reinforcements.

However, taking about Brown’s NBA journey has been anything but predictable. After going undrafted in 2019, he briefly played for the Houston Rockets in the Summer League. His career took him to the Portland Trail Blazers, then back to the Westchester Knicks. By November 2024, Brown signed with the Pacers, only to be waived weeks later and return to familiar ground in Westchester. Now, he’s getting another shot with the Mavericks. Despite all the turmoil, he remained hopeful, holding onto the belief that this challenging chapter would ultimately add his mark to a brighter future for the Mavericks. However, with this let’s look more deeper at what Rick Welts has to say about the team’s needs.

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts addresses Doncic Trade, arena plans amid team’s turmoil

Rick Welts has been in the hot seat since the Luka Dončić trade, a move that shocked both fans and the NBA world. Speaking candidly, Welts admitted that he “probably underestimated the reaction” to the trade, acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on the franchise. “It’s incredibly emotional, an incredibly difficult time for so many people,” he said. However, Welts remains optimistic, adding, “I still believe we’re going to come out on the other side, with a future that’s incredibly bright.” Despite the challenges, his focus is clear—building a stronger, more sustainable future for the team.

It’s Welts’ first year as CEO which is now heavily focused on the team’s arena needs, an issue he describes as “the most important thing I’ll probably do while I’m here.” The current arena situation is one he knows requires urgent attention. “It’s no secret that we have to figure out our arena situation,” he remarked. But he’s determined to get it right, emphasizing that the new venue won’t be a copy of any existing NBA arenas. “This will look nothing like Chase Center; it will look nothing like the Intuit Dome,” Welts explained. Instead, he envisions a venue that embodies the heart of Texas and Dallas.

The goal is for the new arena to represent Mavs fans in the most authentic way possible. Welts dreams of a space that reflects both the team’s and city’s identity, a venue filled with the energy of Texas pride. “This will hopefully be the greatest expression of what Maverick fans would expect,” he said. With long-term economic growth in mind, the new arena will be a foundation for future competition over the next 30 or 40 years.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who has worked closely with Welts, praised his colleague’s approach. “There’s a joy about Rick. He loves life. He loves the work,” Kerr noted, highlighting Welts’ intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for the job. For now, the Mavericks’ CEO remains focused on creating a lasting legacy for the franchise.