Vlade Divac: “It looks like I made a mistake” passing on Luka Doncic

One of the most pivotal moments in the history of the Sacramento Kings came in 2018, when then-general manager Vlade Divac passed on an opportunity to draft Luka Doncic.

Instead, they selected Marvin Bagley III from Duke. They were not the only ones to pass on Doncic, as the Phoenix Suns used the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft on big man Deandre Ayton.

Atlanta owned the third pick, but agreed to a deal that moved them back two spots and allowed the Mavericks to add Doncic. All three surely regret that decision, as the 6’8 point guard won Rookie of the Year and became an MVP-caliber player as early as his second season.

In an appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, Divac reflected back on his decision-making at the time.

“I went to Madrid to talk to Luka that year before the draft,” Divac said. “So, he was definitely top on the list. Obviously, it looks like I made (a) mistake.”

“All my assistants told me he can play small forward,” he continued. “I said, ‘No, Luka is a point guard. Luka is a coach on the floor.’ And I felt like if I get Luka, I have to trade (De’Aaron) Fox, and I already got a relationship with Fox, and I see he can do it.”

Doncic has been miles better than Fox, which is no slight to the now-Spurs guard, who is ironically playing alongside two other point guards, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, as the second seed in a highly competitive Western Conference playoff bracket — obviously, Victor Wembanyama leading the show has been crucial to their success.

The former Sacramento general manager went on to explain the impact of market size, a puzzling consideration when drafting. Keep in mind, Doncic was viewed as a can’t-miss prospect at the time, not only with the benefit of hindsight.

“Small market team, it’s a perfect fit for (Fox),” Divac said. “Luka is a big market player, and I felt like if I get Luka, down the road I may lose him.”

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Considering that rookie contracts are four years, and rookie extensions highly incentivizing players to stay with their first team by the ability to offer a significantly higher salary than others, Doncic would’ve had plenty of financial reasons to remain in Sacramento should they have drafted him second overall.

It feels like a revisionist arguement, considering his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025. Yet, the Slovenian was outspoken in his desire to eventually retire with the Mavericks. While Dallas is unquestionably a larger market than Sacramento, they’re not on the biggest markets in the NBA.

“It (was) a very tough decision,” Divac said. “If I (could) go back, I probably would draft him but now he’s having a great career.”

Probably? His comments are salt in the wounds for a Kings’ organization that once again will find themselves crossing their fingers on the night of the NBA Draft lottery, albiet under new leadership since moving on from Divac in 2020.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

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Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
• Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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