Luka Doncic hints that he might stay in Europe next season

[batigol18]

Since there is so many joke writings in this topic, I will give you some coments for Slovenia media from yesterday evening. Talking about Suns and Sacramento:

https://ekipa.svet24.si/clanek/kosarka/mednarodna-kosarka/5afdda9d39310/doncic-prvic-direktno-o-klubih-phoenix-ali-sacramento-takole-je-kokoskov-in-bogdanovic-sta

- on Wednesday morning first thing he checked, which three teams won the lottery;
- immediately he sent message to Kokoskov and congratulate him;
- Luka said it is clear that it would be clearly the easiest transformation for him if he would have Kokoskov as his first coach in NBA;
- immedately after the lottery he also received message from Bogdanovic, that they will maybe become teammates. He like that idea;
- he is in regular contact with Kokoskov, even now after the lottery. He is special coach for him.

So just to finish with this funny discussion:
- until he finish season with Real, he won't say anything about how he will go to NBA next season. But everybody know, he will go. Even his coach Pablo Laso said this week, that he have only one wish regarding Luka. That Luka bring to Real Euroleague Championship this weekend;
- He clearly prefer going to Phoenix because of Kokoškov;
- but he don't have any problems with alternative in Sacramento, because he would feel familiar with so many Serbians in the organisation;

[FlatearthZorro]

He's waiting for us to select him next season with the Kings pick.

[Rn5ho]

Did any NCAA player declare DURING their March Madness stint? I'm pretty sure they all declared AFTER their college season was over. Same is for Luka. He will not talk future until F4 is over. He's a professional and talking about next season/NBA while the most important weekend of the year is coming up would be completely unprofessional.

He's not some unpaid teenage kid who plays bbal in college.. he's a professional already.

[sacking123]

Since there is so many joke writings in this topic, I will give you some coments for Slovenia media from yesterday evening. Talking about Suns and Sacramento:

https://ekipa.svet24.si/clanek/kosarka/mednarodna-kosarka/5afdda9d39310/doncic-prvic-direktno-o-klubih-phoenix-ali-sacramento-takole-je-kokoskov-in-bogdanovic-sta

- on Wednesday morning first thing he checked, which three teams won the lottery;
- immediately he sent message to Kokoskov and congratulate him;
- Luka said it is clear that it would be clearly the easiest transformation for him if he would have Kokoskov as his first coach in NBA;
- immedately after the lottery he also received message from Bogdanovic, that they will maybe become teammates. He like that idea;
- he is in regular contact with Kokoskov, even now after the lottery. He is special coach for him.

So just to finish with this funny discussion:
- until he finish season with Real, he won't say anything about how he will go to NBA next season. But everybody know, he will go. Even his coach Pablo Laso said this week, that he have only one wish regarding Luka. That Luka bring to Real Euroleague Championship this weekend;
- He clearly prefer going to Phoenix because of Kokoškov;
- but he don't have any problems with alternative in Sacramento, because he would feel familiar with so many Serbians in the organisation;

Get out of here with your facts. There is no place for that on RealGM.

Honestly though it’s good to see a small handful of intelligent people in this thread that a) actually have read what he said and b) can comprehend what a pro basketball player should say to keep his current teams fans happy while he tries to win said team a championship before he notches up one of his life long goals/dreams.


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[XTraderXL]

If anyone has ever watched an interview with Luka and saw his reaction when he is asked about NBA, they would see on his face how excited he is about going there. He is usually pretty reserved and diplomatic but when asked about the NBA, his face always lights up and he cant stop smiling, even though he is still giving diplomatic answers. This has been going on for a couple of years and every time his reaction is the same.

Of course he will not talk about leaving Real for NBA openly just before the biggest weekend of the year. He is getting paid handosmely to be a pro, Real Madrid gave him all that he needed to develop, they gave him a chance to play signifiacant minutes in EL at 16 and naturally he is showing them respect by not talking about leaving at this moment. Thats the kind of person you want on your team, not someone who openly talks about going somewhere else even before the last game of the season has been played.

[Laimbeer]

He could have said he was just focused on helping his team win. But he said he had a decision to make. That's different.

The Kings franchise may concern him. Let's face it, they'd be bottom five or so for someone coming into the league.

[sacking123]

He could have said he was just focused on helping his team win. But he said he had a decision to make. That's different.

The Kings franchise may concern him. Let's face it, they'd be bottom five or so for someone coming into the league.

You can’t be serious?
Bill Duffy has already come out and said that isn’t true.
Are you trying to say that you know more than what Duffy does?
Use some common sense, you’re better than this


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[anish23]

So how good is the kid going to be next year?

Donovan Mitchell/ Simmons level of Rookie?.. Or better? Or Worse?...

Kid already seems to be great.

[Johnny Firpo]

So how good is the kid going to be next year?

Donovan Mitchell/ Simmons level of Rookie?.. Or better? Or Worse?...

Kid already seems to be great.

He has a very high floor, imo the biggest favorite for ROY. His game is tailor-made for this era.

[Laimbeer]

He could have said he was just focused on helping his team win. But he said he had a decision to make. That's different.

The Kings franchise may concern him. Let's face it, they'd be bottom five or so for someone coming into the league.

You can’t be serious?
Bill Duffy has already come out and said that isn’t true.
Are you trying to say that you know more than what Duffy does?
Use some common sense, you’re better than this


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He has said what isn't true? Link please.

[sacking123]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2776617-luka-doncics-agent-says-2018-nba-draft-decision-wont-be-impacted-by-teams.amp.html


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[sacking123]

He could have said he was just focused on helping his team win. But he said he had a decision to make. That's different.

The Kings franchise may concern him. Let's face it, they'd be bottom five or so for someone coming into the league.

You can’t be serious?
Bill Duffy has already come out and said that isn’t true.
Are you trying to say that you know more than what Duffy does?
Use some common sense, you’re better than this


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He has said what isn't true? Link please.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2776617-luka-doncics-agent-says-2018-nba-draft-decision-wont-be-impacted-by-teams.amp.html


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[Laimbeer]

You can’t be serious?
Bill Duffy has already come out and said that isn’t true.
Are you trying to say that you know more than what Duffy does?
Use some common sense, you’re better than this


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He has said what isn't true? Link please.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2776617-luka-doncics-agent-says-2018-nba-draft-decision-wont-be-impacted-by-teams.amp.html


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“Luka has stated no particular thought on any NBA teams,” his agent, Bill Duffy, told Sporting News on Thursday.

That's it? It's a non-statement.

I don't know, but I wouldn't be reassured by what Luka or his agent said.

Also...

Jonathan Givony of ESPN noted Doncic's "representation has some very unique leverage to steer him to a specific destination, or even nudge a trade along, should they choose."

[sacking123]

He has said what isn't true? Link please.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2776617-luka-doncics-agent-says-2018-nba-draft-decision-wont-be-impacted-by-teams.amp.html


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“Luka has stated no particular thought on any NBA teams,” his agent, Bill Duffy, told Sporting News on Thursday.

That's it? It's a non-statement.

I don't know, but I wouldn't be reassured by what Luka or his agent said.

Also...

Jonathan Givony of ESPN noted Doncic's "representation has some very unique leverage to steer him to a specific destination, or even nudge a trade along, should they choose."

Ok the old I will make a mountain out of a mole hill to help my argument (twisting what Luka said to fit a negative narrative) but completely look the other way when his agent refutes such claims and then says it’s a non statement?
And I think you have a non statement confused because it is the definition of what Givony (ESPN) said.
Of course he has unique leverage, he is from Europe, every single Euro does. It’s like saying the sky is blue.
Name one Euro player that has done an interview 2 days prior to playing in the Euroleague final 4 and stated they can’t wait to play in the NBA?
Actually show me the interview where a college kid gets interviewed a couple of days prior to March Madness by ESPN or whoever and he just says, I just can’t wait to play in the NBA.
It doesn’t happen, you know why? Because they know it is disrespectful to their current team, the coaches, teammates, fans and support staff. Common sense perhaps?



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[Rn5ho]

Luka is a true professional. If you actually listen to his interviews, his answers are mostly rather awkward in the sense that he doesn't seem 100% confident speaking English - most of answers are short and sometimes double-edged. Seriously, I'd not read too much into it.

Also he is not the kind of guy that would shy away from a challenge - he is 100% confident in himself that he can take a team on a higher level and become fan-favorite along the way. That's just who he is - the bigger the challenge, the bigger the motivation. He played for Real Madrid this season where 3/5 starters (including last year's EL MVP) were injured and he stepped up and thrilled - if not for Luka, RM would have been a bottom tier team. Same with Slovenian national team - sure there was Dragic, but Slovenia in the past with exact same roster (minus Luka) never came even close to top 3 - yet you could see so much passion and energy from him playing as an underdog. I can see him doing the same in NBA. He will come and immediately become fan-favorite.

He is also very connected with Serbian culture, he listens to Serbian music all the time, big Red Star (Serbian team) fan and always talks fondly of Serbians. Sacramento has Bogdanovic, they were already in contact about potentially becoming teammates and I think this idea would really excite Luka.

As much as I know about Luka, I'd be shocked if he stayed in EU to drop down. Whether it's Phoenix (Kokoškov) or Sacramento (Bogdanovič/Peja/Divac), he will go and do what he does best - play basketball and have fun.

[Madhouse]

He's waiting for us to select him next season with the Kings pick.

that does not make any sense. He will get drafted this year regardless if he stays or not

[FlatearthZorro]

He's waiting for us to select him next season with the Kings pick.

that does not make any sense. He will get drafted this year regardless if he stays or not

I was messing around/joking.

[sacking123]

He's waiting for us to select him next season with the Kings pick.

that does not make any sense. He will get drafted this year regardless if he stays or not

I was messing around/joking.

To be fair to him it was hard to pick out of all the non sense being spewed about in this thread. The sad thing is you were joking, however these other posts are serious. Hahaha


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[Snotbubbles]

Boston has that pick. Boston has every pick lol

Boston doesn't have that pick yet. The pick is #1 protected. If the Kings win the lottery the Celtics will get the Sixers pick.

Even if the Kings are the worst team in the league there's still only a 14% chance, why even pretend that pick is going to Philly?

Not pretending. Don't think the Kings will end up in the 2-5 range. Try to keep up please.

[Deathray]

Adam Silver needs to go Trump on Doncic and tell him that he's either in the NBA next year or banned forever. That will get his ass over here.