Luka is a stud. He has the "it factor" and has already transformed the Mavs chemistry and locker room. He was the one player in the draft who'd change an entire franchise. I was adamant about this kid being the #1 pick all of last season. It was plain as day to me; not a complicated decision. I hope the Suns, Kings, and Hawks FOs are already sick to their stomachs.
You can have one of...
1) A traditional big man who's terrible defensively and doesn't make teammates better.
2) A big man whose offensive game doesn't fit the modern NBA, is a terrible defender, has sub-par length, and doesn't make teammates better.
3) A 6'8" playmaker with a well-rounded game, is a great passer, won MVP of the second-best league in the world at 19, and excels at making teammates better. A perfect fit for today's NBA.
4) A homeless man's Steph Curry who was terrible in conference play against good competition and struggles with the athleticism of the pro game.
So many folks were acting like Doncic had already hit his ceiling simply because he'd been playing pro ball for years. I think there was a bit of Luka fatigue. He's probably the best prospect since Anthony Davis. Silly he wasn't the no-brainer top pick.
Ayton's ceiling is Boogie, which wins you nothing in today's NBA. I also don't care for his IQ/feel for the game. A big man has to be an Anthony Davis-type in today's NBA for me to take him first overall.
Bagley had no business being the #2 pick but SAC was in a tough spot since no other top prospects agreed to work out for them. He belonged at the back end of the run of bigs; after Jackson, Bamba, and Carter. Hell, he might end up with a worse career than someone like Mitchell Robinson too.
Trae Young will eventually find his shot but I'm not sure he'll ever be a great finisher inside the arc and he'll always be a massive defensive liability. Time will tell if the extra 1st rounder from Dallas will matter but based on the Mavs already turning things around that pick is already looking worse.
