While Luka Doncic is no longer considered a lock to be a top-three pick, the Suns, Kings, and Hawks have each traveled to Europe recently to meet him, league sources tell Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Doncic’s eventual landing spot remains a mystery, as Phoenix is widely expected to select Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick and Sacramento has focused on adding a perimeter big throughout the pre-draft process, Charania writes.
As Charania notes, the Kings view last year’s top-five pick, De’Aaron Fox, as their point guard of the future. While Doncic won’t necessarily slot in at the point once he arrives in the NBA, that’s the position he views as the best fit for himself.
“Honestly, I really prefer to play point guard, to have the ball in my hands and play for other people,” Doncic told Charania. “Playing from the one to the four, that’s the strength that I have over everyone. I want to play for my teammates and make them better. I really prefer to have the ball in my hands, and play for everybody else. I will do anything for my team. I’m happy when I can play point. It’s easier for me. I can fight more in the post and create for my teammates.
“From the beginning when I came to Real Madrid, I saw that I loved to create for others,” Doncic continued. “I like to play pick-and-roll with the ball and pass from everywhere. From the beginning, I wanted to be the point guard.”
Here are more draft notes and rumors, with the big night just three days away:
- The Kings continue to be one of the draft’s biggest wild cards, with Marc Stein of The New York Times tweeting that rival teams believe Sacramento is still strongly weighing taking Michael Porter Jr. at No. 2. Responding to Stein’s tweet, Sam Amick of USA Today confirms (via Twitter) that the Kings are “definitely” still considering it.
- Sean Deveney of The Sporting News identifies 13 players, coaches, executives, or groups who have the most at stake in Thursday’s draft.
- Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN.com single out 10 prospects who are unlikely to be drafted until the second round – if at all – but who could end up being steals.
- Givony is hearing that Villanova guard Jalen Brunson has “a great chance” to become a first-round pick on Thursday night (Twitter link). Brunson is currently the No. 35 prospect on Givony’s big board at ESPN.com.
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer makes the case for why he feels that Wendell Carter Jr. is a better NBA prospect than his former Duke teammate Marvin Bagley III.
Teams that pass on Doncic will regret it, future top 20 player all time
All Time Top-20 player? His VERY unlikely to even crack the 1996 Top-50 players of All-Time list. Let alone the current list that includes Kobe, Durant, LBJ, Curry, AI, etc…
He may not even end up as a Top-20 player in this draft class. Have you even watched his tape? Or are you a blood relative? Like that’s a statement his mom, or brother, or cousin or something would make.
Really…How much have you seen him play to make that comment…I could not say that about anyone in this class and the only person in the last 20+ years was LeBron coming out of high school…And Kobe played my high school in league play….Pause before you make comments like “top 20 player of all time”
I’ve seen him, and like him (nothing not to like). I think he’s the best player (and 2nd best asset) in this draft. I wouldn’t go any further than that. He’s played against superior competition than that faced by his fellow 19 year olds in this draft, which makes him more proven, but also has given him a better opportunity to develop his game.
Ask Jonah Bolden what he thinks of Luka. You put an athletic combo guard on him and he’s cooked. Can’t stick with faster combo guards, can’t guard anyone bigger than him. I mean he needs like an ideal match-up to thrive. It’s not like you’re getting Kyle Korver type shooting either. Shot 30%, the more 3’s he’s jacked up the worst his % has gotten.
Just put this in perspective.. his team mate Rudy Fernandez, you all know Rudy Fernandez right? He shot 47% from 3. If Fernandez and Doncic were both 19 going into the draft, you wouldn’t even hear Doncic’s name mentioned until the 2nd round maybe. Don’t be surprised if they have a similar career, just Doncic shoots way worse.
Wait so a top 5 prospect wouldn’t be a first round prospect if a player who was drafted 24th overall was in this years draft? Let me get some of whatever you’re on
That is one of the laziest comparisons I’ve read on here..Which, btw, that’s saying quite a bit..lol
Fernandez’s and Doncic’s games could not be more different..That is like comparing the skillset of a QB to that of a WR..
I don’t think Doncic is going to be Magic Johnson, LeBron, nor maybe even Ben Simmons, but he is a playmaker. His value to a team isn’t solely tied up to his ability to shoot from deep, nor his man to man defense..
Doncic can learn to be an effective team defender, and he can get better shooting from distance..The kid is young, aND has plenty of room to grow..His skillset isn’t set in stone, good players evolve their games..
He will be a valuable asset at the NBA Level, and a solid playmaker as a rookie. One that will immediately provide his teammates with open looks from collapsing the defense, and good passes..
Please watch Ben Simmons, before you tie a players value solely to their man to man defense and their 3-point shot..
Like the username, your line of thinking is assbackwards..
You don’t like much euro guys do you?