Former Sacramento Kings executive Vlade Divac acknowledged a pivotal draft decision that continues to shape league conversations, admitting that passing on Luka Doncic now “looks like a mistake.”
Speaking on the Fast Break podcast hosted by Byron Scott, Divac offered a detailed explanation of the 2018 draft process and the reasoning behind Sacramento’s choice.
“I actually went to Madrid to talk to Luka, a year before the draft. So, he definitely top on the list. But, obviously, it looks like I made mistake,” Divac said, via HoopsHype.
The former Kings decision-maker emphasized that his evaluation of the Slovenian star was not in question, describing him as “an unbelievable talent” and “one of the top players in the league.”
Divac explained that roster construction drove the final call, pointing to positional overlap with De’Aaron Fox, who was already established as the franchise’s lead guard.
“All of my assistants told me that he can play small forward, and I said no, no, Luka is a point guard. Luka is a coach on the floor,” Divac said. “And I felt that if I get Luka, I would have to trade De’Aaron Fox.”
That decision reflects a common basketball dilemma: balancing talent acquisition with fit, especially for a small-market team attempting to build continuity.
Divac added that he viewed Fox as “a perfect fit” for Sacramento’s long-term identity, while labeling Doncic as “a big market player,” highlighting concerns beyond on-court production.
Since entering the league, the Slovenian guard has validated his pre-draft projection with elite output, including a 33.5-point average in the 2025-26 season along with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Through eight seasons, the 27-year-old has maintained career averages of 29.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 8.5 rebounds, reinforcing his role as a primary initiator and high-usage offensive engine.
His ability to control pace, create advantages in pick-and-roll sets, and generate efficient offense has become a model for modern perimeter stars.
Sacramento’s alternative path underscores how draft decisions often hinge on internal timelines rather than pure talent evaluation.
Divac’s comments also revisited broader generational comparisons, noting how rule changes influence statistical output.
“If Magic Johnson played in today’s game, he would average 25, 30 assists per game. If Michael Jordan played in today’s game, he would probably average 50 points per game,” he said.
The Serbian legend also remembered when he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for the rookie Kobe Bryant. “I would trade myself for Kobe and I’d trade the entire team for Kobe,” Divac admitted that his view of the trade changed with time.
