Real Madrid star guard Luka Doncic has just given some headaches to the NBA executives. The 19-year-old is projected to be among top three picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, but apparently, he isn’t sure that he will leave Europe and come to NBA next season.
“Ι’m not sure if these are the last two games [in Europe],” – said Doncic at a news conference for the EuroLeague Final Four on Thursday. “We have yet to make this decision. Perhaps after the season.“
Doncic will have until June 11 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft in case he decides to stay in Europe. He might stay with Real Madrid even if he decides to stay in the draft since he will have no obligation to come and play in the NBA.
His hesitance to confirm if he will come to the United States next season might also be a strategy devised to defer certain teams from drafting him. In case that he lands with the Sacramento Kings or Atlanta Hawks and he doesn’t want to play there, he could sign an extension with Real Madrid and wait until the team that drafted him trades his rights somewhere he does want to play.
Luka Doncic is considered to be the top international prospect in the upcoming draft and maybe the best player available. He already has an experience playing on a senior level and emerged as Real Madrid’s leader while being named Europe’s best young basketball player in both 2017 and 2018. He currently averages 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Luka Doncic also found success on an international level playing for Slovenia winning EuroBasket in 2017.
