The Dallas Mavericks came away the biggest winner of the 2018 National Basketball Association Draft when armed with the fifth overall pick they somehow snagged arguably the best player available in Luka Doncic.
They paid a steep price for Doncic. They traded their fifth pick this year to move up and also gave away their 2019 first-round pick, which is top-five protected. But a transcendent talent like Doncic is definitely worth it.
The 19-year-old Doncic led Slovenia to a Eurobasket title last summer. In the process he became the youngest Most Valuable Player of the EuroLeague in its history.
He then led Real Madrid to its 10th EuroLeague title with a victory over Fenerbahce in Belgrade recently. He then promptly became the youngest MVP of the EuroLeague Final Four in its history.
The 6’7” Doncic is virtually unstoppable at his position. He overwhelms smaller opponents with his size and relies on his guile and smarts to beat bigger defenders
He is a great ball handler and penetrates to the cup with ease. He is a great passer, has great vision and sees the floor like few players can. But his most important asset is his fearless mindset. He attacks relentless to find an open teammate or score himself.
Doncic has won at every level and is perfect in today’s NBA where teams like to play small and rely on ballhandling to penetrate and kick the ball out to open three-point shooters.
The Mavericks have long been looking for a cornerstone as they enter the post-Dirk Nowitzki future. They have probably found it in Doncic who could also become one of the greatest ever basketball player to come out of Europe.