Vlade Divac explains infamous decision to pass on Luka Doncic in 2018 NBA Draft
Heading into the 2018 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings were viewed as the team with control over the draft. With the Phoenix Suns sitting at No. 1, with Deandre Ayton considered the unanimous top overall prospect, it was the Kings with the second overall pick who were going to have plenty of options to dictate how the rest of the draft would evolve. In what ended up being somewhat of a curious decision, instead of picking Luka Doncic, who many believed was the second-best draft prospect in the class, Sacramento decided to select Marvin Bagley.Even though Bagley was a talented big out of Duke, he was far from a polished prospect and didn’t nearly have the reputation and high ceiling that a player like Luka had heading into the draft.
In the end, Luka was the third overall pick (and was traded to the Dallas Mavericks). Perhaps most importantly, he ended up being the best player from that draft class. Looking back, both the Suns and Kings made a big mistake in passing on Luka. Considering where both the Phoenix Suns and Kings find themselves as franchises, it’s difficult not to label it as an all-time mistake for the latter.
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Vlade Divac explains infamous decision to pass on Luka Doncic in 2018 NBA Draft
The Sacramento Kings may never live down passing on Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft.
By Michael Saenz | Sep 21, 2024
2018 NBA Draft
2018 NBA Draft / Mike Stobe/GettyImages
Former Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac clarifies his decision to pass on Luka Doncic during the 2018 NBA Draft.
Heading into the 2018 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings were viewed as the team with control over the draft. With the Phoenix Suns sitting at No. 1, with Deandre Ayton considered the unanimous top overall prospect, it was the Kings with the second overall pick who were going to have plenty of options to dictate how the rest of the draft would evolve. In what ended up being somewhat of a curious decision, instead of picking Luka Doncic, who many believed was the second-best draft prospect in the class, Sacramento decided to select Marvin Bagley.
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