“Scouts liked him, analytics loved him!” Billionaire Mark Cuban reveals behind-the-scenes of getting Luka Doncic after scouting from when he was just 13

Mark Cuban revealed his organization's analytics team practically begged him to bag Luka Doncic.

“Scouts liked him, analytics loved him!” Billionaire Mark Cuban reveals behind-the-scenes of getting Luka Doncic after scouting from when he was just 13

Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban reveals the inside story of acquiring Luka Doncic (Via All the Smoke)

In the unpredictable NBA draft process, finding a future star is always a gamble. But for Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks’ owner, betting on Luka Doncic was a calculated decision. His story unfolded on the “All the Smoke” podcast, revealing a long-term strategy. This approach involved deep observation, thorough analytics, and a crucial phone call.

The saga started when whispers of a 13-year-old playing against grown men in Europe reached the Mavericks’ scouting network. Initial skepticism of performance in ‘just a European league’ quickly turned into fascination. Doncic’s subsequent fearless showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder was impossible to overlook.

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Here’s how Mark Cuban expressed how excited the entire organization was about Luka Doncic:

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Our scouts liked him, our analytics guys loved him. Scouts said "Okay, they had Ayton number 1" and our numbers guys were like "This is the only superstar in the draft." So that was really the impetus.

As the draft clock was ticking down, Cuban opted for a direct route. He contacted the Atlanta Hawks’ owner, proposing a deal for Luka. Aware they weren’t eyeing Luka, he urged a swift agreement, bypassing general managers.

Thanks to this strategic bet and eleventh-hour negotiations, Luka Doncic joined the Mavericks, sparking excitement. For Dallas, choosing Doncic reshaped their future. It’s safe to say Luka is the next big thing in the NBA, among other European stars like Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.

Now a full-fledged star, Luka Doncic destroyed the Hawks with a record 73-point performance

Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic recently made history with a stunning 73-point game against the Hawks, ranking fourth in NBA single-game scores, behind only NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain. This performance broke the Mavericks’ franchise record. Doncic lit up the Hawks with a massive 41 points before halftime, propelling the Mavericks to a hard-fought 148-143 victory.

Luka Doncic made history with a 73-point performance against the Hawks (image via Open Source, X)
Luka Doncic made history with a 73-point performance against the Hawks (Open Source, X)

This memorable game casts a long shadow on the 2018 NBA draft, still a sore subject for Atlanta Hawks fans. That night, the Hawks picked Doncic third, only to trade him to the Mavericks for Trae Young and a future pick. While Young has become key for Atlanta, Doncic’s nightly wonders remind everyone of the generational talent Atlanta let go.

Hitting 25 out of 33 shots, including 8 three-pointers and nearly flawless at the free-throw line, Doncic ended the Mavericks’ losing streak, worsening the Hawks’ struggles. With Doncic’s star factor ascending, the Mavericks are set to build around a generational talent, illuminating the way to future success.

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