Leading up to the 2018 NBA draft, Luka Doncic was one of the most popular prospects, going as high as no. 1 on multiple mock drafts online. There was a strong possibility, then, that Doncic could still be available when the Sacramento Kings made their pick at no. 2.
Ultimately, Kings GM Vlade Divac decided to pass on Doncic and go with Duke forward Marvin Bagley III. In retrospect, this draft selection was a missed opportunity to acquire a generational talent, but Divac did have his reasons for not selecting Doncic that night. Appearing on Byron Scott’s “Fast Break” podcast, Divac explained his reasoning.
“All of my assistants told me that he can play small forward, and I said no, no, Luka is a point guard. Luka is a coach on the floor. And I felt that if I get Luka, I would have to trade De’Aaron Fox.”
Vlade Divac, who served as Kings GM from 2015 to 2020, admitted that his dynamic with De’Aaron Fox happened to outweigh the potential of Luka Doncic at that time.
“I already got a relationship with Fox, and I see he’s a perfect fit for us, a small market team, and Luka was a big market player.”
This, of course, would not be the last time in Doncic’s career that a Western Conference team decided that it could do without his services. Over a year after former Mavs GM Nico Harrison shipped away Doncic, the Slovenian star has emerged as an MVP-caliber superstar who will lead the LA Lakers (Divac’s former NBA team) into the future.
Lakers HC Provides Update on Luka Doncic’s Recovery From Hamstring Strain
Lakers fans, however, have yet to see Luka Doncic suit up in this year’s playoffs, as he has been out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Prior to Game 4 of the Lakers-Rockets series, head coach JJ Redick gave an update on the six-time All-Star’s recovery.
As per a tweet by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin: “JJ Redick said Luka Doncic started movement on the court today as he continues to rehab his left hamstring strain. ‘Most of his stuff [before] had been standstill,’ Redick said.”
It remains to be seen whether Doncic will see action before this first-round series ends.
