Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Before The 2018 Draft, Several Teams Believed Luka Doncic Was Overrated
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Before The 2018 Draft, Several Teams Believed Luka Doncic Was Overrated

Before The 2018 Draft, Several Teams Believed Luka Doncic Was Overrated

Orlando Silva
Jan 30, 2021
3 Min Read
Share

Luka Doncic is now considered one of the best players in the NBA after the magical 2019/20 season he had with the Dallas Mavericks. The Slovenian player is still very young despite having a lot of experience. He was considered a big promise in European basketball and when he landed in the NBA, some teams had high expectations for him.

However, there were other organizations that weren’t convinced that Doncic could take the next step and become better than he already was in 2018. Tim MacMahon of ESPN recently revealed that the point guard was even considered “maxed out” by several teams. Doncic had played at a pro-level even before turning 18 and not everybody believed he could actually make any significant improvement in his game.

Doncic was never considered the consensus best player in a draft that saw Deandre Ayton go No. 1 to the Phoenix Suns and Marvin Bagley III go No. 2 to the Sacramento Kings. Some questioned whether Doncic had “maxed out,” as Duffy put it, wondering if a player who was so polished could improve.

Moreover, even after he made it to the league, Doncic was met with doubts about his talents and how well he could be in the league. Even his head coach had doubts about his position on the court. Doncic quickly shut those doubts and became the future of his franchise as soon as he stepped foot on the floor.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE around the NBA doubted whether Doncic, who had grown to a shade taller than 6-foot-7 and more than 230 pounds, could play point guard in the NBA. One talent evaluator for a team picking a little later in that lottery compared him to Hedo Turkoglu, a skilled forward with playmaking ability — a good player but far from a superstar.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle admits that even he considered Doncic’s NBA position to be “unclear” when he studied his European film. He knew Doncic had the savvy and vision to be a primary ball-handler, but he wasn’t sure a player that size could play point guard against the world’s premier athletes.

Now he’s a great player, one of the best in the NBA and a potential GOAT in the eyes of many. The former Real Madrid player has everything to be successful in the league and keep showing he’s the real deal. Nobody knows where his ceiling is and the Mavericks can’t be happier about it.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Dallas Mavericks ArchiveLuka Doncic
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByOrlando Silva
Follow:
Orlando Silva has been a part of Fadeaway World for over three years now, starting in March 2019. Trade rumors, hottest news, controversies, and basketball gossip have become his specialties. After several years of seeing the Spurs dominate the playoffs, they've become his favorite team as players for the franchise either rise to the occasion or fall completely from grace. When he's not talking about the NBA, Orlando can be seen watching other sports, making music, or enjoying television series.
Previous Article Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘Sometimes In Life, People Are Not Going To Be Around You And Motivate You, They’re Not Going To Be Around You To Push You, To Celebrate You, To Applaud You… You Gotta Do It On Your Own, That’s What I’m Doing Right Now.’
Next Article NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Reportedly Want Zach LaVine
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?