The Draft That Could Have Changed Everything: Doncic and the 2018 NBA Fiasco
Ah, the NBA Draft of 2018! A night filled with hope, dreams, and a distinct whiff of regret that smells as potent as burnt toast. I mean, how did the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings manage to dodge a bullet like Luka Doncic? Not just any bullet—an absolute cannonball shot out of a cannon made from the hopes and dreams of every basketball fan! But instead, they chose Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III; both have shown more promise in their first few seasons than a three-legged dog in a race. Spoiler alert: the dog would win.
The Curious Case of Doncic
Doncic had just wrapped up a EuroLeague title with Real Madrid. You know, just your average Tuesday for a guy who can do everything—including find the open man with pinpoint accuracy while simultaneously styling his legendary Luka hair. Meanwhile, the Kings were naturally blinded by the glimmer of their new shiny toy, Bagley. And as for the Suns? They decided the only thing better than a star forward was a big man. Job well done, fellas! If only they’d consulted someone who actually watches basketball.
The Draft Bungle: The Nuggets in the Mix
Now, here’s where it gets juicy! Prepare to put your popcorn down—make sure it’s not too salty; you need to save room for the tears of Kings fans. Reportedly, the Denver Nuggets were watching the chaos unfold like it was a live episode of a reality show titled “Who Wants to Drop the Ball?” According to Mike Singer, a fine writer over at the Denver Post, they were looking to orchestrate a coup. Yes, folks, while the Kings were putting forth their best ‘we-really-know-what-we’re-doing’ faces, the Nuggets were pulling the strings: they considered offering Gary Harris plus two first-round picks for the top draft spot!
“For 30 seconds we thought we had Luka,” they said. And, oh, how I’d pay good money to see the look on their faces when they realized the Kings were still picking.
What If…?
Picture it: Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic on the same team—two European juggernauts combining forces as if straight out of a Marvel movie. What would their superpower be? Ultimate passing skills? Good looks? Maybe the ability to excel at anything that requires a basketball or a good sense of humor! Instead, they’re both out there reminding us all of what could have been.
Why didn’t the Nuggets seal the deal? Well, let’s take a good hard look in the mirror; perhaps Jamal Murray was deemed too precious a jewel to trade for honestly the best player in the draft. I mean, who needs a franchise player when you can have “potential”? Classic logic.
Conclusion: A Tale of Silly Mistakes
In summation, the 2018 NBA Draft is a gentle reminder that sometimes the decisions made in the heat of the moment have massive ramifications. So here we find ourselves, two years into Doncic’s stardom, trading stories of what might have been to anyone who’ll listen. This is hands-down one of those moments in NBA history that splits fandoms and ignites debates lasting for generations. So, here’s to the teams that overthought, overanalyzed, and ultimately overshot the chance at a true superstar! Thank you for the entertainment, gentlemen.
Now, gather round, ladies and gentlemen, as we watch the next draft unfold and you can bet that some execs will still attempt to wheel and deal like they’re back in 2018, clutching their regrets like trophies!
Even today, the circumstances surrounding the 2018 NBA Draft remain shrouded in mystery, particularly regarding the decisions of the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, who notably overlooked the talents of a fresh EuroLeague champion in Luka Doncic. While the Suns were on the hunt for a dominant big man and ultimately selected Deandre Ayton, who has since departed from Arizona, the Kings displayed a surprising lack of enthusiasm for Doncic, despite his impressive credentials with Real Madrid. Consequently, Doncic was drafted at #3 by the Atlanta Hawks after the Dallas Mavericks orchestrated a strategic deal, allowing them to select Trae Young at number 5, which also came with a valuable first-round pick for 2019 that turned out to be Cam Reddish. But what adds another layer to this intriguing tale is the revelation that the Denver Nuggets attempted to navigate the draft landscape as well. As explained by Mike Singer, a journalist for the Denver Post:
“The Nuggets knew Vlade Divac didn’t think highly of Luka Doncic,” Singer disclosed on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “They were strategizing on how to pair Nikola Jokic with Doncic. On draft night in 2018, they made their move. There was a call; there was a proposal. The Nuggets aimed to secure the No. 1 pick, offering Gary Harris and two first-round picks, as I was informed. While some might balk at that price tag, let’s reflect on hindsight. The Kings opted for Marvin Bagley with the second pick. I’m merely suggesting that this trade was on the table for discussion, as the Nuggets were aware of Divac’s lack of enthusiasm for Doncic and sought to leverage that knowledge. If the Nuggets had been ready to trade Jamal Murray, we could have witnessed a seismic shift in NBA history. However, that did not transpire. I was not present in those meetings,” Singer added. “I had no seat at the front office table at that time, but it’s clear that this opportunity was examined, vetted, and at one point, someone anonymously remarked: ‘For 30 seconds, we believed we had Luka.’ That speaks volumes.”
How has Luka Doncic’s success influenced the approach of teams in subsequent drafts?
**Interview with Sports Analyst Alex Carter on the Impact of the 2018 NBA Draft**
**Editor:** Welcome, Alex! It’s great to have you with us to discuss the 2018 NBA Draft and its lingering effects on the league. Let’s dive right in. Why do you think the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings passed on Luka Doncic, given his impressive EuroLeague success?
**Alex Carter:** Thanks for having me! It’s a fascinating topic. The Suns and Kings were both in need of rebuilding at the time. The Suns prioritized a big man, Deandre Ayton, thinking he would be the cornerstone of their franchise, while the Kings fell for the flash of Marvin Bagley III. They probably overlooked Doncic’s immense potential because they were fixated on traditional positions rather than evaluating a truly versatile talent.
**Editor:** It’s interesting how positional preferences can cloud judgment. Many fans have speculated about the hypothetical duo of Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic on the same team. What would that have looked like?
**Alex Carter:** [Laughs] That’s the dream scenario for many! Imagine two of the most skilled passers and versatile scorers playing side by side—kind of like an offensive juggernaut. They would have created mismatches all over the court and could have elevated each other’s games even further. But alas, it’s one of those “what if” scenarios that keeps basketball fans talking!
**Editor:** Speaking of “what if,” the Denver Nuggets had a chance to trade for the top draft pick. What do you think clued them in on Doncic’s potential?
**Alex Carter:** The Nuggets were undoubtedly aware of Doncic’s impressive EuroLeague performance, as he was already establishing himself as a superstar at such a young age. They were just in a position where they couldn’t afford to part ways with Jamal Murray, who they saw as a burgeoning star in his own right. Risks like that are hard for teams to take, especially in a draft that seemed to have various promising options.
**Editor:** Fast forward to today, how do you think the decisions made during that draft will affect the Kings and Suns moving forward?
**Alex Carter:** The ramifications are significant. Both franchises are still working on rebuilding strategies, and passing on Doncic certainly casts a long shadow over their decisions. Fans will always question that draft night. For the Suns, Ayton shows promise, but he’s still not on Doncic’s level. The Kings have struggled to find their identity. Winning is ultimately how these teams can shake off the tarnish of that draft, but it’ll take some time.
**Editor:** what do you want fans to take away from the 2018 NBA Draft fiasco?
**Alex Carter:** It really underscores the importance of thorough scouting and a willingness to adapt. Sometimes the “sure bets” can lead teams astray, and flexibility in thinking is key. It’s a reminder to teams that sometimes, you need to take a leap of faith on talent instead of playing it safe. And of course, it gives us all plenty to talk about for years to come!
**Editor:** Thank you, Alex! Your insights really bring the draft to life and remind us just how impactful those decisions can be.
