The Dallas Mavericks’ strategic move to trade up for Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft has profoundly impacted both the team and the league.
In just six seasons, Doncic has earned five First Team All-NBA selections, reached the Conference Finals twice, and appeared in the NBA Finals once. His remarkable career start has led many to consider him a future Hall of Famer.
ESPN has now recognized Doncic’s achievements by ranking him 25th among the best NBA players of the 21st century. This list is part of ESPN’s broader series on top athletes of the 2000s, broken down by sport. Doncic’s placement highlights his rapid rise in the NBA, especially considering his age. Among the players listed, Doncic is the youngest, with Nikola Jokic, drafted in 2015, being the closest in age.
Despite his youth, Doncic boasts more All-NBA selections than six of the eight players ranked directly above him, which includes names like Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, and Draymond Green. His notable performance in the 2024 Western Conference finals, where he outplayed top defenders like Rudy Gobert, underscores his elite status.
Doncic’s average of 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game this season is unprecedented, placing him in the ranks of legends like Michael Jordan.
Although Doncic has yet to secure a championship or an MVP award, these milestones seem within reach given his extraordinary talent and consistent performance. His peers in the top 25 have often secured such accolades, but Doncic’s trajectory suggests he will soon join their ranks. As his career progresses, Luka Doncic is on track to become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
