Former Kings general manager Vlade Divac speaks on the decision to draft Marvin Bagley instead of Luka Doncic in 2018 NBA Draft

In a recent interview with Croatian website Index, former Kings GM Vlade Divac said that he passed on Doncic specifically because of De'Aaron Fox. Divac is also adamant that he thinks Fox could have a better career than Doncic in the future.

In an interview Croatian outlet Index.hr, Divac was asked to explain passing over Dončić. Like he did right after the draft, Divac pointed to the presence of Kings guard De'Aaron Fox as the reason why Bagley was the better choice, and implied Fox could still vindicate the decision if he has a better career than Dončić.

For Kings fans, this will always sting. Divac’s decision will be remembered in the same category as the Trail Blazers drafting Sam Bowie in front of Michael Jordan because Portland had Clyde Drexler and didn’t need a wing player. Divac missed and the franchise continues to pay the price.

In a chat with IndexHR, former Kings GM Vlade Divac finally offered an explanation for why he passed up on Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft. In his view, Luka would not have been a good pairing with De'Aaron Fox,

The Atlanta Hawks selected Luka Doncic as the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Trae Young. The Sacramento Kings had the second overall pick but chose Marvin Bagley III instead of Doncic.

Looking at the 2018 NBA Draft, it’s amazing to think that Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic was essentially the fifth overall pick. Though he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks, they traded him to the Mavs on draft night in order to secure the rights to Oklahoma’s Trae Young.

NBA Draft, the Kings selected Marvin Bagley III second overall. Bagley was an impressive prospect and there was no reason to doubt the pick, but in hindsight, the next