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In the days leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft, European phenom Luka Doncic has been one of the most discussed prospects in this year's class. Doncic has continued to be mentioned as being among those expected to be taken among the first few selections on Thursday night.
The latest chatter around the 19-year-old that Pro Basketball Draft has noted is that both the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic have their eyes on taking him if he's still on the board at their respective draft order spots.
Hearing Doncic likely lands in Memphis or Orlando unless a deal happens. One of the reasons Sacramento would possibly pass on him is with no 1st rounder next season they will need a prospect that can play now and Doncic may not come over next season.
— Joe Kotoch Real Estate (@luxuryagentchi) June 19, 2018
Doncic has clearly caught the intrigue of many of the teams at the top of the first round in the draft in the Grizzlies, who currently hold the fourth overall pick and the Magic at two spots after that. He is a versatile wing player that has shown the ability to be able to have a high impact on the game with his scoring from both the outside and inside while possessing the athletic ability to be a physical factor at the rim. What has been most impressive is that he's already a quite polished offensive talent that has can create his own shot off the dribble while his court vision allows him to playmake.
The fact that he's has demonstrated that much at his age has projected a huge ceiling of potential above him to become a star in the league. Since the Phoenix Suns landed the first overall pick, there have been subtle hints via social media that the team is highly interested in making him their selection over Arizona big man DeAndre Ayton. The team also has Igor Kokoskov, who was the head coach for the Slovenia men's national team, as their next head coach.
What this all points to more than anything else is that Doncic has an opportunity in front of him to become a franchise cornerstone for an NBA team.
