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NBA Rumors: Could Luka Doncic fall out of the top 3 in the 2018 NBA Draft?

By Michael Saenz

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 08: Luka Doncic (R) of Real Madrid and his teammate Guillermo Hernangomez (L) goes up for a rebound during the friendlies of the NBA Global Games 2015 basketball match between Real Madrid and Boston Celtics at Barclaycard Center on October 8, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 08: Luka Doncic (R) of Real Madrid and his teammate Guillermo Hernangomez (L) goes up for a rebound during the friendlies of the NBA Global Games 2015 basketball match between Real Madrid and Boston Celtics at Barclaycard Center on October 8, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: There’s growing whispers that Luka Doncic, who many believe to be the top prospect in this year’s NBA Draft, could fall out of the top 3

For the majority, the 2018 NBA Draft has two top prospects – and then there’s everyone else.

At least at the moment, the top overwhelming prospects are Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton. There are a handful of other prospects that could workout their way into the top, but for the most part those are the two names that will likely go 1, 2 in next month’s NBA Draft.

However, it’s not surprising to see a few teams – the ones that own the top 3 picks – begin to start overthinking this entire process, and it’s not exactly something that you want to do.

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But according to a recent report, it’s exactly what some teams are already starting to do. Per ESPN, the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks, who own picks 2, 3 could pass on Luka Doncic if the Phoenix Suns elect to go with Deandre Ayton – or another prospect – at No. 1.

[via ESPN]

"The growing consensus among NBA decision-makers in attendance at Stark Arena in Belgrade is that the teams drafting behind the Phoenix Suns at No. 1, the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks are likely to pass on European prodigy in favor of American frontcourt players. The question remains whether a team will trade up into the top three to snag Doncic, or if he will fall to the No. 4 (Memphis) or even the No. 5 pick (Dallas) after being heavily scouted in the Euroleague playoffs against Panathinaikos and mostly struggling."

That would essentially leave Doncic falling out of the top 3, falling into the laps of the Memphis Grizzlies or Dallas Mavericks at 4 or 5. This type of move would actually be quite surprising. For much of the 2018 calendar year, Doncic has been top prospect, or near top, prospect in this draft class. Nothing substantial has changed, really.

Ayton didn’t have a great postseason run in the NCAA Tournament, and the only player that has really risen significantly, if at all, is Mo Bamba – but even he isn’t in consideration to be this year’s top pick, yet.

Must Read: NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers open to moving young core for right offer

If this report is in fact accurate, that would mean that teams are becoming hesitant on drafting Doncic, for one reason or another.

Is it that he’s from Europe and there’s always a risk there? Is it that he didn’t play in college?