After housing Dirk Nowitzki for two decades, the Dallas Mavericks found another European gem in Luka Doncic to carry the franchise for the next 20 years (hopefully). The Mavs had a chance to select another great European star five years ago but ultimately went in another direction.

Tim Cato and Sam Amick of The Athletic shared how Mavs owner Mark Cuban didn't heed the recommendation of GM Donnie Nelson when the latter suggested they take one Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2013 NBA draft:

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Nelson knows that Cuban will listen to his final recommendation. Five years prior, Cuban didn’t when Nelson tried to sell him on a barely known Greek prospect named Giannis Antetokounmpo. That year, Dallas was set on winning immediately and had a strict plan to do so that involved preserving cap space, necessitating them trading down. As Antetokounmpo has developed into a superstar in Milwaukee, Cuban has openly acknowledged his blame in the matter. Multiple sources say that Cuban has no intention of ignoring Nelson yet again on an international prospect he swears by.

At least Cuban owns up to his blunders. The Mavs owner has openly admitted that he made a mistake when he didn't keep formers Mavs stars Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash together for as long as he could.

Now, imagine if Dallas selected Antetokounmpo. The Mavs almost certainly wouldn't have Doncic now, but having Giannis around to help Dirk in the twilight of his career would have resulted in much more success for the franchise.

Nonetheless, everything is still working out in the Mavs' favor after acquiring Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft. As reportedly in The Athletic piece, Nelson did everything he could to move up in the draft to acquire the Euro sensation.

Doncic and Antetokounmpo are arguably the two best players 25-and-under players in the NBA. Luka is having a marvelous sophomore campaign and has undoubtedly launched himself into superstardom this season. Meanwhile, Giannis is the favorite to repeat as MVP while currently carrying the Bucks to the best record in the NBA.