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Sacramento Kings: Luka Doncic and other recent draft regrets

By Taine Carroll

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The 2019 NBA Draft prospects stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The 2019 NBA Draft prospects stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Marvin Bagley III (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Congratulations on making it this far.

In 2017, the Kings could do no better as they drafted their franchise player and point guard of the future in De’Aaron Fox.

2018 – Marvin Bagley, 2nd overall

It’s not often a generational talent falls onto a teams lap, and with the Suns determined to draft the home town talent of Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic was right there for the taking. Instead, the Kings chose another big man, this time a rim running offensive powerhouse in Marvin Bagley.

I’m not entirely sure why or who it was in the franchise that advocated against Doncic, but rumors spread highlighted the issue that two ball-dominant guards would supposedly not work well together. Alas, all Fox needs right now is another ball-handler to take some pressure off himself.

According to NBC Sports, there was more to this pick than initially thought.

"“My understanding is that [Divac] being so close to Luka and knowing his dad so well factored into their decision,” MacMahon said on ESPN’s “The Woj Pod,” via NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin. “Basically, he didn’t think a whole lot of Luka’s dad, and the whole like father like son … well … no, this is a different dude.”"

To be fair, Doncic did have a few marks against him, for example, his athleticism and defense were said to be major liabilities. On the other hand, Bagley was thought to have the highest ceiling in the draft and his athletic ability was not comparable. The idea of Bagley and Fox running the floor was a big factor for Vlade Divac, and due to this presumed it would be a safer pick.

Fast forward to the present day and it is abundantly clear Doncic was the correct pick – MVP votes in his second year while carrying Dallas to the playoffs is no easy feat. Bagley has had to watch all of this from the sidelines as the narrative of Bagley vs. Doncic skews more and more in favor of the latter.

Former Kings coach Dave Joerger even admitted they made a mistake.

"“Perhaps there was an idea that there was a [low] ceiling on [Luka]. I don’t see it, unfortunately for us.”"

Bagley is by no means a lost cause and may very well have the second or third-highest ceilings in the draft. Given time, Bagley can absolutely be a dominant player in the league, it’s just a shame that he will be forever in Luka’s shadow.

Other notable players picked after Bagley are Trae Young, an all-star, budding star Jaren Jackson Jr., as well as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, all of whom have had more success to date.

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