Luka Doncic. The name alone carries so much weight in the basketball world today that it’s almost hard to remember a time when he wasn't the guy triple-doubling his way through the league. But honestly, if you're asking what year was Luka Doncic drafted, you're likely looking for more than just a number on a calendar. You're looking for the moment the modern NBA shifted.
Basically, the year was 2018.
That summer changed everything for the Dallas Mavericks, the Atlanta Hawks, and honestly, the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, though they probably don't like talking about it as much. It was a night of high-stakes gambling that people are still dissecting years later, especially now that the landscape has shifted so dramatically with his move to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2018 NBA Draft: A Night of Chaos
When the 2018 NBA Draft rolled around, Luka wasn't some unknown kid. He was the most decorated teenager in the history of European basketball. He’d already won a EuroLeague title with Real Madrid. He’d already bagged the EuroLeague MVP. Most kids that age are just hoping to get playing time in college, but Luka was already a professional assassin on the court.
Yet, somehow, he didn't go number one.
The Phoenix Suns took Deandre Ayton first overall. Then the Sacramento Kings took Marvin Bagley III at number two. It’s wild to think about now, but at the time, there were real concerns about whether Luka’s "overseas success" would actually translate to the speed of the NBA. Scouts were worried he wasn't "athletic enough."
Looking back? Those takes aged like milk.
✨ Don't miss: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
The Trade Everyone Still Talks About
The actual "drafting" part is where it gets kinda messy. If you look at the record books, you’ll see that the Atlanta Hawks technically drafted Luka Doncic with the 3rd overall pick in 2018. But he never actually wore a Hawks jersey—except for that one hat on draft night.
Dallas wanted him. Badly.
The Mavericks, sitting at pick number five, worked out a deal with Atlanta. They traded their pick (which became Trae Young) and a future protected first-round pick to the Hawks just to move up those two spots and grab Luka. It was a massive swing by Donnie Nelson and the Mavs front office. They saw a generational talent, and they weren't going to let him slide past three.
Why 2018 Was Such a Massive Turning Point
It wasn't just about Luka. That 2018 class was deep. You had Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Mikal Bridges all coming into the league at the same time. But Luka was the sun that everything else revolved around.
In his rookie year (the 2018-19 season), he basically ended the "can he play here?" debate in about two weeks. He averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. He won Rookie of the Year in a landslide, taking 98 out of 100 first-place votes. He made the Mavs relevant again immediately after the Dirk Nowitzki era ended.
Honestly, the transition was so seamless it felt scripted. One legend walks out, another walks in.
🔗 Read more: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
The Recent Shock: From Dallas to LA
If we’re talking about his draft history, we have to acknowledge where he is now. The basketball world nearly imploded in February 2025 when the Mavericks did the unthinkable: they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s still weird to see him in purple and gold.
The trade sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka, a move that many analysts, including Kevin Pelton and Brad Botkin, called one of the most lopsided in sports history. The Mavs cited concerns over his conditioning and "fit," but let’s be real—you don't trade a guy like that unless something is fundamentally broken. Luka himself admitted the move was "shocking and disorienting." He’d just bought a house in Dallas. He expected to be a Maverick for life, following in Dirk’s footsteps.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Draft Year
One big misconception is that Luka was a "project." People see European players and assume they need three years to learn the American game.
Luka didn't need a learning curve.
He was already playing against grown men in Spain since he was 16. By the time 2018 hit, he had more "professional" experience than almost anyone else in the draft. That’s why he was able to step onto an NBA floor and look like a ten-year vet from day one. He wasn't faster than everyone else; he was just smarter. He used his 6'7" frame to bully smaller guards and his vision to pick apart defenses that weren't used to seeing a point-forward with that kind of IQ.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
The Trae Young Connection
You can't mention Luka’s 2018 draft story without Trae Young. They will be linked forever. For a long time, people called it a "win-win" trade. Trae was a monster in Atlanta, leading them to an Eastern Conference Finals. Luka was doing the same in Dallas.
But as of early 2026, both have moved on. Trae is in Washington now, and Luka is the face of the Lakers. It’s the end of an era for the franchises that originally bet on them, but the 2018 draft remains the starting point for both their legacies.
Practical Takeaways from Luka’s Career Path
If you're a student of the game or just a fan trying to keep the facts straight, here is the breakdown of what actually happened:
- The Year: 2018.
- The Pick: 3rd overall.
- The Technicality: Drafted by Atlanta, traded to Dallas on draft night.
- The Cost: Dallas gave up Trae Young and a 2019 first-round pick (which became Cam Reddish).
- The Outcome: A Rookie of the Year trophy and five straight All-NBA First Team nods before his 26th birthday.
If you’re looking to track his stats or see how his move to the Lakers is playing out, the best move is to keep an eye on the Western Conference standings. He’s currently leading the league in points created (scoring + assists), averaging about 48.9 per game.
Whether he’s in Dallas or LA, the "Class of 2018" will always be defined by the guy who went third and proved two teams very, very wrong.
To stay updated on his current season performance, you should check the latest box scores from the Lakers' recent road trip, as his usage rate has spiked significantly since arriving in Los Angeles. Watching how he adjusts his pick-and-roll density without a traditional lob threat like he had in Dallas provides a masterclass in basketball adaptability.