Luka Doncic is the ultimate trash-talker in the NBA. Friday’s showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings prove as much.
The Mavs superstar went viral during the game after he absolutely embarrassed former Kings GM Vlade Divac during the game.
Dallas Mavericks Star Luka Doncic’s Savage Message for Vlade Divac
Late in the fourth quarter of the game after Doncic banked the game-sealing free throw as the Mavericks completed their comeback win against the Kings, the Slovenian superstar was caught on camera waving goodbye at Divac, who previously served as GM of the Sacramento franchise until 2020.
As the buzzer sounded and Doncic headed to their bench, he appeared to say “he shoulda’ drafted me,” referencing how Divac and the Kings infamously snubbed the former Real Madrid star in the 2018 NBA Draft, via Sean Cunningham of Fox 40.
Many Sacramento and Dallas fans will remember how the Kings opted to select Marvin Bagley III with the second overall pick, as Doncic fell to no. 3 to the Atlanta Hawks–who pulled off a trade with the Mavericks in a swap for Trae Young, the no. 5 overall pick of the same class.
Doncic couldn’t have been more vicious with that message, but it’s definitely warranted. After all, it’s safe to say now that the Kings made a mistake snubbing the European wonderkid at the time. Not to mention that Bagley didn’t really pan out for them and is now gone from the team.
The NBA’s leading scorer also showed the Kings on Saturday what could have been, as he propelled the Mavericks to a second straight victory over Sacramento and sixth in a row overall. Doncic finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists for the 107-103 win.
Why Did the Sacramento Kings Snub Luka Doncic in 2018 Draft?
The reason Vlade Divac and Sacramento Kings didn’t take Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft makes the story even better, at least for Dallas Mavericks fans.
Apparently, according to reports at the time, the Kings passed on the Slovenian because Divac was close to the Doncics and didn’t think much of Luka’s dad, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
“My understanding is that [Divac] being so close to Luka and knowing his dad so well factored into their decision,” MacMahon said, via Yahoo Sports. “Basically, he didn’t think a whole lot of Luka’s dad, and the whole like father like son … well … no, this is a different dude. You messed that one up, Vlade.”
For what it’s worth, Divac said after the draft that they took Marvin Bagley III because he’s a better fit for the team. Besides, they already have a point guard that they want to build around in De’Aaron Fox.
While the reasoning in a basketball perspective makes sense, there’s no denying that not taking Doncic was a massive miss for the Kings. And sure enough, Luka will never get tired of reminding them about it.
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