The Denver Nuggets, in a surprising turn of events, attempted to trade up in the 2018 NBA Draft to select Luka Doncic, according to a report by Marc Stein. The team was reportedly willing to part with Gary Harris and multiple first-round picks to acquire the talented Slovenian guard.
A Tweet read,
“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
“The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic. And they had designs on pairing Nikola Jokic with Luka Doncic. On draft night in 2018, they tried. There was a call placed. There was a proposal and the Nuggets attempted to get the No. 2 pick for Gary Harris and two first round picks was what I was told.””
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
"The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic. And they had designs on… pic.twitter.com/Wwr1bG7Roa
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 18, 2024
The Nuggets’ bold approach to pair Jokic & Luka Doncic
The Nuggets had designs on pairing their star center, Nikola Jokic, with the young Slovenian phenom, Luka Doncic. On draft night in 2018, the Nuggets placed a call to the Sacramento Kings, who held the No. 2 pick, and proposed a trade that included Gary Harris and two first-round picks. The Nuggets were banking on the Kings’ then-GM Vlade Divac’s lukewarm interest in Doncic.
Vlade Divac’s Reluctance
Divac was not particularly high on Doncic, which the Nuggets hoped to exploit. Despite their efforts, the Kings ultimately chose Marvin Bagley with the No. 2 pick, and Doncic was selected by the Atlanta Hawks at No. 3 before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
The What-If Scenario
Had the trade been successful, the Nuggets would have formed a formidable duo with Nikola Jokic and Doncic, two of the best European players in the NBA. This pairing would have been a dream for many basketball fans, given the unique skill sets of both players.
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