5 biggest surprises in NBA Draft history

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Luka Doncic greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest surprises in NBA Draft history: 3. The Luka Doncic trade

2018 NBA Draft: Round 1, pick 3 (Dallas Mavericks via Atlanta Hawks)

The Luka Doncic trade was made possible by a series of surprising decisions. The EuroLeague MVP was widely viewed as the most NBA-ready prospect in the draft. Nevertheless, the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings both decided to pass on him at the top of the draft, instead taking Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III, respectively.

This put the Atlanta Hawks in an enviable position, as they were on the clock with, perhaps, the most valuable prospect in the class still on the board. Rather than play it safe, Travis Schlenk and the Hawks’ front office decided to trade the pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the fifth overall pick (Trae Young) and a 2019 first-round pick (Cam Reddish).

Entering the night, Doncic to Dallas seemed like a remote possibility. The trade had a monumental impact on both franchises. Doncic has been a four-time All-NBA first-team selection with the Mavericks, while Young led the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals and is a two-time All-Star.

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