The Sacramento Kings' 2018 NBA Draft decision to select Marvin Bagley over Luka Dončić has become a topic of debate, especially with Dončić's meteoric rise in the league. Former GM Vlade Divac defended his choice, citing the presence of De'Aaron Fox as a key reason for picking Bagley, expressing faith that Fox could develop into a franchise player.
Despite the Kings' journey since then, with one playoff appearance in 2023 compared to Dončić leading the Mavericks to multiple playoffs including an NBA Finals, the rationale behind the Kings’ decision is increasingly scrutinized.
Divac's assertion that a team could not accommodate both Fox and Dončić has drawn skepticism, especially considering both players' shooting abilities. While he praised Dončić's potential MVP candidacy, the Kings continue to grapple with the implications of this draft choice.