‘Defense Wins Championships’ Was Phrase Uttered Most Often In Private Mavericks Press Conference

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and CEO Rick Welts held a private press conference on Tuesday with select NBA members of the Dallas-based media. 

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, “defense wins championships” was the phrase uttered the most. 

Mavs GM Nico Harrison and CEO Rick Welts just wrapped up an hour-long session with select members of Dallas-based media.

“Defense wins championships” was the phrase uttered most often.

Will have full coverage on @espn this afternoon.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 15, 2025

The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. 

Los Angeles is the third seed in the West, while Dallas is the 10th seed. 

Harrison, who has a close relationship with Davis, no longer wanted to build around Doncic, who averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 422 games with the Mavericks.  

Doncic was eligible to sign a five-year, $345 million extension with the Mavericks this offseason, but Harrison didn’t want to pay the star that much money. 

The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension this offseason, or, like other teams, a five-year, $296 million contract in the offseason of 2026. 

According to NBA insiders Christian Clark, David Aldridge, Sam Amick and Fred Katz of The Athletic, the Mavericks were “frustrated” that Doncic didn’t travel and rehab his calf injury with the team. 

Doncic suffered a serious calf injury on Christmas against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He rehabbed in Dallas with his medical team instead of traveling with the Mavericks on their long road trip. 

“Front-office officials tried to communicate with Dončić about a plan to get him back on the court, but discussions between the two sides were spotty,” Clark, Aldridge, Amick and Katz wrote. “Dončić believed he had suffered the calf strain by trying to come back from a previous injury too soon. His group decided it didn’t make sense for him to be with the team. Not only would plane rides invite a possible setback, but he would also be able to maximize his workouts in Dallas rather than going from city to city during the trip. The decision frustrated team executives, according to league sources. And it wasn’t the first time the superstar and the organization had clashed.”