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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Top 14 after the Lottery

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager, Scott Perry represents the New York Knicks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager, Scott Perry represents the New York Knicks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN – 2018/04/25: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid gestures during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 3 between Real Madrid and Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at WiZink center in Madrid. (Photo by Jorge Sanz/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN – 2018/04/25: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid gestures during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 3 between Real Madrid and Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at WiZink center in Madrid. (Photo by Jorge Sanz/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

player. 67. . Guard/Forward. Real Madrid. Luka Doncic. 2

Age: 19 (2/28/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’8″ & 218 pounds
Slash Line: .464/.306/.806
Season Averages: 24.6 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 3PM

The Sacramento Kings have intriguing pieces in place, including point guard De’Aaron Fox and wings Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield. The Kings lack direction, however, and a dynamic playmaker would certainly change that.

Marvin Bagley III also makes sense for the Kings, but this franchise needs a player who can make those around him better—and Doncic fits the bill.

Doncic is a 6’8″ playmaker with a tight handle, deep range on his jump shot, and a rare fearlessness as a facilitator. His court vision is advanced, which implies that he and Fox could help facilitate an offense that ranked No. 29 in the NBA in points per 100 possessions in 2017-18.

Furthermore, Fox could focus more on defense with the facilitating burden alleviated by a natural playmaker who can work all three perimeter positions.

There are concerns about Doncic’s ceiling due to his lackluster athleticism, but he’s as skilled as any prospect in recent memory. He can play both with and without the ball, and was an 18-year-old star in a competitive league that often bases playing time on age and experience.

There are other options to consider, but Doncic is the No. 2 player in the 2018 NBA Draft and the perfect fit for a Kings team that needs to play like a team again.

Knicks Note: The New York Knicks have scouted Luka Doncic, but it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be available at No. 9 overall.

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