Luka Doncic is likely one of the most electrifying superstars of as we speak’s NBA. The Dallas Mavericks hit a house run once they traded for him within the 2018 NBA Draft. Nonetheless, Doncic got here considerably near a distinct NBA future. A star-studded worldwide duo of Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic nearly got here to fruition in line with Mike Singer.
“The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not notably excessive on Luka Doncic,” mentioned Singer on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “And so they had designs on pairing Nikola Jokic with Luka Doncic. On draft evening in 2018, they tried. There was a name positioned. There was a proposal and the Nuggets tried to get the No. 2 choose for Gary Harris and two first spherical picks was what I used to be informed.
“You may roll your eyes at that price ticket however look looking back. The Kings ended up taking Marvin Bagley with the No. 2 choose. I’m not saying this commerce was imminent. All I’m saying is that this commerce was mentioned and thought of as a result of the Nuggets knew Vlade Divac was not notably excessive on Luka Doncic they usually tried to use it.
“The wrinkle in that is if the Nuggets had ever been prepared to half with Jamal Murray, we now have a hell of a what-if within the annals of NBA historical past, however that didn’t occur.”
Dallas is coming off a season the place they made it to the NBA Finals. As for Denver, they’re two seasons faraway from profitable their lone title in franchise historical past. With the current struggles that Jamal Murray has displayed, one has to marvel how issues could be completely different for Luka Doncic and the Denver Nuggets as we speak.
Denver Nuggets Almost Traded up in 2018 NBA Draft for Luka Doncic
A “What if?” Situation for Doncic and the Denver Nuggets
Each Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic have a powerful relationship with one another. A part of it stems from their abroad connection. The NBA world has additionally seen the comradery between the 2 superstars on full show at NBA All-Star Weekend. Throughout mentioned weekend, hypothesis about Doncic ultimately teaming up with Jokic after the Nuggets famous person opened the proverbial door for the Mavericks star to ultimately be part of the Nuggets. A duo of Doncic and Jokic would have been attention-grabbing.
It seems to be dominant on paper, however one additionally has to think about the chemistry between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic is sort of unmatched. To not point out, there’s a chance that Jokic’s dominance might have hindered Doncic’s full potential in the event that they do staff up on this dream state of affairs. It’s enjoyable to think about this chance. Nonetheless, the actual fact of the matter is that each Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are forging their very own legacies. Two legacies that can each be missed as soon as their careers are over. Nikola Jokic is now thought-about the best participant in Denver franchise historical past. As for Doncic, he has the prospect to surpass Dirk Nowitzki as the best Dallas Mavericks participant earlier than his profession is alleged and completed.