Nuggets Attempted Trade for Luka Doncic in 2018

During the 2018 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets attempted to trade up for Luka Doncic, aiming to pair him with Nikola Jokic. They proposed a deal to the Sacramento Kings, offering Gary Harris and two first-round picks for the No. 2 pick, which the Kings ultimately used to select Marvin Bagley III instead. Nuggets insider Mike Singer revealed that the organization knew the Kings were not fond of Doncic, making the trade discussion plausible. Despite missing out on Doncic, the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA title, minimizing their regrets over the trade that didn’t happen, while the Mavericks secured a franchise player in Doncic, solidifying their competitive future. The failed trade has become a significant 'what-if' in NBA history, with many speculating on the potential dynasty the Nuggets could have built alongside Jokic and Doncic. Overall, both teams have seen success since the draft, with Doncic leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and Jokic earning multiple MVP awards and a championship.