In what’s touted as the greatest steal of this past NBA Draft, Luka Doncic was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The 19-ear-old Slovenian player is argued by many to be the most-legitimate top overall pick. If it weren’t for a dearth in big men who can play multiple positions like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Doncic could have indeed been at the top.
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But the draft happened more or less as expected. The Hawks needed a talented shooter like Trae Young while Dallas was keen on getting someone whose play is very reminiscent of their aging superstar Dirk Nowitzki. And indeed, Doncic may just become the Nowitzki of this era.
Doncic has already led his country to its first-ever Euro League championship and is its current MVP. For such a young player, he has already gained years of experience playing as a pro. At 6’8”, he has great upside, can play the point, and showcases excellent court vision and passing. He is explosive on his way to the rim and can spot up for high-looping threes.
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Dallas fans are ecstatic about getting Doncic, and with good reason. He should add height to the guard position and complement the games of Dennis Smith Jr., Seth Curry, and J.J. Barea. Moreover, Dirk Nowitzki should be able to mentor the kid as he reaches the twilight years of his career. We might soon see the rise of the next great European player in the NBA. And he’s, again, to be found in Dallas.
My name’s Peter Max, a sports management student based in California. I like blogging about various sports. I hope to be an agent to star athletes in the future. More info about me on this website.