“I could’ve been here…” Luka Doncic recalls ALMOST landing in Atlanta after career-high 73 points show out against Hawks

Luka Doncic was drafted 3rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks, then was traded to the Mavericks for 5th pick Trae Young and a 1st round pick.

“I could’ve been here…” Luka Doncic recalls ALMOST landing in Atlanta after career-high 73 points show out against Hawks

Luka Doncic recalled how he could have been an Atlanta Hawk in place of Trae Young (image via Open Source, X)

Luka Doncic‘s 73-point performance tonight has a small caveat attached to it. It came against the Atlanta Hawks. The same Atlanta Hawks that drafted him 3rd overall in the 2018 draft. That draft night trade changed the course of both the Dallas Mavericks and Doncic’s career. To make history against the team that could have been his home was extra special.

This question was raised to Doncic during the post-match press conference. Doncic had this to say to Dallas Mavericks reporter Noah Weber;

It was great. I could've been here, but I think it benefits both sides. I actually saw one fan wear Atlanta jersey with 77, so I was laughing.
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Doncic alluded to the fact that the Hawks had traded him in exchange of Trae Young, who has also been successful in his own right. Had the Hawks decided against trading the then wonderkid from Slovenia, history would have been different.

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The Dallas Mavericks had their sights set on Doncic from the time he was dominating the European basketball league. They had the 5th pick in the draft. With several rumors floating that Doncic might not fall that far, the Mavericks initiated trade talks with the Hawks. Giving up the 5th pick and a 2019 first-round pick for Doncic has turned out to be a franchise-defining deal.

That 5th pick was used to pick Trae Young. Doncic alluded that the trade worked out great for both teams. This happens to be true as Young is now the undisputed superstar of the Atlanta Hawks. The two draftees also have tremendous respect for each other. They appreciate each other’s game and show great camaraderie whenever they meet.

With Young and Doncic, the future of the NBA looks bright

Luka Doncic and Trae Young were drafted on the same night. The two young players are still only 24 and 25 years old, respectively. Collectively, they have 7 All-Star appearances between them. Both have even brought gold medals for their respective countries in international competitions. Most importantly, both have been projected to be the face of the NBA in a few years.

Luka Doncic and Trae Young admire each other's work and have great camaraderie on and off the court
Luka Doncic and Trae Young admire each other’s work and have great camaraderie on and off the court (image via Open Source, X)

As of now, both are playing lights out. Doncic is averaging 34.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists this season. Young is putting out 27 points per game while dishing out 10.8 assists. Those are commendable numbers on any given day. The fact that both are the de facto offensive leaders of their teams is also worthy of appreciation.

So, Doncic might not be wrong to say that the trade worked out for both teams. At the same time, to play his best game to date against his draftee team was extra special.

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