The Dallas Mavericks are presently grappling with the aftermath of the controversial Luka Doncic trade, and their CEO has acknowledged the turmoil.

In a recent interview with the Dallas Morning News, Rick Welts reflected on the tumultuous months that led to a surprise transaction, which sent star player Luka Doncic to another team in exchange for the injury-prone Anthony Davis. This deal has left fans bewildered and upset.

“After 47 years in the NBA, I thought I had seen it all, but this situation is entirely unique,” Welts expressed. “Many individuals with honorable intentions tried to make the best decision.”

The trade was primarily driven by general manager Nico Harrison, although ESPN’s Tim MacMahon noted that he had support and opposition within the organization regarding the move.

“I may have underestimated the public’s response. We have made every effort to handle this comprehensively, prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved with the Mavericks,” Welts added.

“It’s a deeply emotional and challenging time for many people. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic that we will emerge with a promising future. That’s my optimistic perspective.”

Doncic had led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, and since the trade, fans have expressed their outrage by holding protests outside the American Airlines Center.

Some individuals have even been removed from games for displaying “Fire Nico” signs.

From the Mavericks’ viewpoint, the decision to part ways with Doncic stemmed from concerns about “team culture” and the need for a “defense-first” strategy that they felt was incompatible with his leadership.

Currently, the Mavericks sit eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 30-26.

As they approached the All-Star break, Dallas made headlines as the only team to defeat the Jimmy Butler-led Warriors in four matchups.

If they can weather the storm of Davis’ absence—who will be sidelined for several weeks due to an abductor strain—Dallas could emerge as a formidable contender in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks boast significant talent, which should bolster their defensive efforts led by Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, in addition to Davis.

Doncic, who is gradually recovering from a calf strain suffered on Christmas Day, has struggled to find his rhythm in his first two games with the Lakers, averaging just 15 points in 23.5 minutes on the court.