A Royal Pain
Fansided

5 All-Stars the Sacramento Kings painfully passed on in the NBA Draft

By Eric Fritts

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots during the first quarter at Chase Center on March 28, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots during the first quarter at Chase Center on March 28, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 13: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and Kirolbet Baskonia at Wizink Center on June 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 13: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and Kirolbet Baskonia at Wizink Center on June 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /

1. Luka Doncic – 2018

What is there to say that hasn’t been said? Yes, the Kings had De’Aaron Fox as their guard of the future but there’s no reason the two couldn’t have played next to each other. Doncic showed he can play with another talented ball-handler, Jalen Brunson, in the 2022 Playoffs, taking the Mavs to the Western Conference Finals. Would Fox have turned into what he is today? Probably not, but it could have been a special pairing.

Luka was a EuroLeague MVP and Champion before even stepping foot on an NBA court. Some of it can be attributed to Euro bias, something Luka has probably all but eradicated now, but that’s really no excuse.

Effectively, two other teams passed on the Slovenian superstar but they both have an above average or All-Star players to show for it (Deandre Ayton, Trae Young). As everyone knows, the Sac front office chose Marvin Bagley III, who is now no longer even a King. He averaged 12 points and 6.4 rebounds a game for the last place Detroit Pistons this season.

Meanwhile, although Luka has just logged his most disappointing NBA season ever, his accolades are still piling up.

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