The Dallas Mavericks selected star Luka Doncic with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
However, despite the fact that Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson was high on Doncic, not many other teams were, according to ESPN’s Tim McMahon.
“Doncic was never considered the consensus best player in a draft that saw Deandre Ayton go No. 1 to the Phoenix Suns and Marvin Bagley III go No. 2 to the Sacramento Kings,” McMahon wrote. “Some questioned whether Doncic had ‘maxed out,’ as [Doncic’s agent Bill] Duffy put it, wondering if a player who was so polished could improve.”
However, Nelson wanted to take Doncic and hoped he would fall to Dallas.
“I was glad every time he lost a foot race or didn’t look very athletic, to be honest with you,” Nelson said. “I was cheering for him to screw up in the European championships [days before the draft].”
The Mavericks and Nelson were right, as Doncic has already made an All-Star team and is considered an MVP candidate this season.
For his career, Doncic has averages 25.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.
The question now isn’t whether or not he will improve, but instead if he can become the best player in the NBA.
