The 2018 NBA Draft was an important moment in the league’s history, and new details reveal it could have unfolded very differently. Mike Singer, the Denver Nuggets’ director of intelligence and strategy, recently revealed that the team tried to trade for Luka Doncic during the draft. Their goal was to pair him with Nikola Jokic, creating a powerful duo.
“The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic,” Singer shared on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “They placed a call and proposed. I was told the Nuggets attempted to get the No. 2 pick for Gary Harris and two first-round picks.” Although the Sacramento Kings rejected the offer and drafted Marvin Bagley III, the Nuggets believed for a brief moment that the trade might happen. Singer recalled, “I have somebody saying anonymously, ‘For 30 seconds, we thought we had Luka.’”
The Denver Nuggets attempted to trade up in the 2018 draft to select Luka Dončić, offering a trade package centered around Gary Harris and first-round picks, per @msinger
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 18, 2024
"The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic. And they had designs on… pic.twitter.com/Wwr1bG7Roa
Imagining Doncic and Jokic on the same team opens up endless possibilities. Both players have extraordinary basketball IQs and complement each other’s playing styles. Jokic’s role as a selfless big man and Doncic’s dynamic playmaking could have made them one of the greatest duos in the history of the NBA.
Still, the Nuggets’ refusal to include Jamal Murray in their trade package likely stopped the deal from going through. “If the Nuggets had ever been willing to part with Jamal Murray, we have a hell of a what-if in the annals of NBA history,” Singer added.
The Ripple Effect Of A Nikola Jokic And Luka Doncic Duo
The Kings’ choice to draft Marvin Bagley instead of Doncic is still a hot topic of debate. Bagley’s inconsistent performance has made Divac’s decision look worse over time, especially when Denver’s trade offer of Gary Harris and two first-round picks could have been a better long-term option. “It was considered, explored, vetted,” Singer explained, expressing just how close the trade came to happening.
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Even without Doncic, the Nuggets built a championship-winning team. Jokic, a three-time MVP, led Denver to its first title in 2023. However, Jokic has openly stated his desire to play alongside Doncic, stressing that while he has no intention of leaving Denver, he would welcome Doncic if he ever became unhappy in Dallas. While such a partnership remains unlikely, it speaks to the respect and connection between the two players.
The 2018 draft changed the futures of the Mavericks, Nuggets, and Kings, but it also left fans wondering what could have been. The prospect of Jokic and Doncic dominating the league together is one of the most intriguing “what ifs” in NBA history, proving how one decision can have ripple effects for years.
Also Read: Mavericks Legend Dirk Nowitzki Gets Real About The Potential Team-Up Of Luka Doncic And Nikola Jokic
