Potential No. 1 pick Luka Doncic hints he might stay in Europe

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Luka Doncic could play in the NBA next season as the No. 1 overall pick.

But he could also remain in Europe and forego playing in the Association — especially if that means going to the Sacramento Kings as the No. 2 pick.

At least that’s what he hinted during the lead-up to the EuroLeague Final Four where he’s playing with Real Madrid.

“Ι’m not sure if these are the last two games [in EuroLeague],” he said, per Europhoops.net. “We have yet to make this decision. Perhaps after the season.”

Doncic, 19, is in the mix for the No. 1 pick by the Phoenix Suns along with former Arizona star Deandre Ayton.

Phoenix, which has a Serbian coach in Igor Kokoskov, could opt to take Doncic of Slovenia, who might be the most NBA-ready player in the Draft. He was Doncic’s head coach when he won the 2017 EuroBasket title.

But as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony pointed out, Doncic will have leverage here: by hinting he may remain in Europe, he could dictate what NBA team he ends up with, or he could even force a trade.

Here is Luka Doncic potentially planting the seed for what I talked about on the Woj podcast yesterday (https://t.co/313b9dvcSC). His representation has some very unique leverage to steer him to a specific destination, or even nudge a trade along, should they choose. https://t.co/K3FVw5EdRG

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 17, 2018

.@wojespn saying Luka Doncic agent Bill Duffy will head to EuroLeague Final Four on redeye tonight and reiterates that Doncic has leverage pre-draft to get picked by a team he likes b/c he could return to Real Madrid. https://t.co/axvYp2FxwT

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 17, 2018

For now, Doncic wants to play well and have fun in the Final Four, which begins Friday against CSKA.

“It’s difficult,” he said. “But in the end you are on the court and when want to enjoy the game. When you are on the floor you want to enjoy yourself. It’s special. It’s a great goal being here and being here it’s a good feeling because it means we have done good work. We should enjoy it now. It’s this time.”

You can watch the EuroLeague Final Four Friday and Sunday on FloHoops.com.

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