It’s rare to see a second-year player establishing himself as a legitimate MVP candidate, but Luka Doncic is doing just that. After an impressive rookie season, Doncic is having even better sophomore year, averaging 28.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game.
Doncic is doing all of this in Dallas Mavericks’ jersey, changing the franchise’s luck and leading them on the path to their first playoff appearance since 2016. It’s curious how before entering the 2019 NBA Draft, the 20-year-old Slovenian though he’ll be changing Sacramento Kings’ luck.
Doncic recently had a chat with Sam Amick of The Athletic and told him that he believed Kings would be the team where he’ll start his NBA career.
“They came to Madrid (to see him play for Real Madrid and to share a dinner on June 5, 2018),” Doncic told Amick. “They came with the owner. Everybody came, so I honestly thought they were going to pick me.”
Despite taking the interest in Doncic, Kings decided to pass on him and pick Marvin Bagley III.
“I mean, I think it’s because of Euroleague; it’s different basketball,” said Doncic when asked why he thinks Sacramento opted not to draft him.
Luka Doncic entered the draft as the most accomplished European prospect ever, having won EuropeanLeague MVP honors just weeks prior. Still, the NBA team were cautious about the way his game will translate to the more athletic league, while also considering Doncic to be a sub-par defender.
Phoenix Suns, possessing No.1 pick and needing a center, opted to draft Deandre Ayton out of Arizona University, leaving the clear path for Kings to take Doncic. But Sacramento also passed, deeming that Bagley fits better into their system. Mavs grabbed the opportunity, made a trade with Atlanta Hawks to jump to No.3, and the rest is history.
