“Scouts liked him, Analytics guys LOVED him!” Mark Cuban reveals behind-the-scenes of signing sensational star Luka Doncic to Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic was the successful trade according to Mark Cuban.


“Scouts liked him, Analytics guys LOVED him!” Mark Cuban reveals behind-the-scenes of signing sensational star Luka Doncic to Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban (Credits: Basketball.com and NBC news)

Owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban recently discussed how they acquired Luka on “All The Smoke” with Matt Barnes and Steven Jackson. Luka Doncic’s return in 2018 was something Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks believed they wanted. Luka Doncic and Trae Young participated in what many people believe to be the most fair draught day swap ever.

Anthony Ressler, the owner of both the Hawks and the Cuban team, ultimately exchanged picks. The Mavericks selected Luka and the Hawks selected Trae Young, a future star. In a recent podcast appearance, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban provided insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that preceded the trade.

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Mark Cuban said:

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And then the scouts were saying, 'Look, there's a 16-year-old, 17-year-old kid playing against OKC, and he's fearless.' And so then we started really paying attention. And it was interesting because our scouts really liked him, and our analytics guys loved him. The scouts said, 'Okay, they had eight number one,' and our numbers guys are like, 'This is the only superstar in the draft.

Luka Doncic has been a unique basketball player during his NBA career. Luka was selected third in the 2018 NBA draught. He has developed into a force that they did not prepare the NBA for. Although scouts thought Luka was a highly touted prospect. Their “European Bust” mentality prevented them from giving him the ranking he deserved. Still, that was a perfect match for the Dallas Mavericks.

Mark Cuban knew Luka Doncic’s potential

The Atlanta Hawks chose Luka Doncic with the third overall pick in the draught. The Dallas Mavericks selected Trae Young after the Memphis Grizzlies had selected him in the fourth round. Mark Cuban arranged a draft-night trade that sent Young to the Hawks and Doncic to the Mavericks shortly after the pick was made. Since then, many people have praised the move, believing that both teams received a great deal.

Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban
Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban (Credits: Bleacher Report)

In the podcast, Mark reveals how he initiated the move for Luka. He knew Luka’s potential. With Doncic emerging as one of the league’s biggest stars. The Mavs made the right decision in the future. Mark Cuban said:

We tried and tried and tried and it was like 15 minutes to go before our pick and I called the owner at Atlanta. 'I'm like you're not picking Luka and you know the guy you want so let's just do this deal because he'll be there for you.'

Luka Doncic’s numbers practically leap off the page when it comes to statistics; in the previous season, he averaged an incredible 32.4 points per game, which was a record for him. Three times since being drafted in 2018, Luka Doncic has qualified for the playoffs.

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