The Luka Doncic-Atlanta Hawks lore goes deeper than many realize. The 2018 NBA Draft was just the beginning. It seems Doncic hasn't forgotten that night, either.
It's not like Hawks fans will ever be able to. While Trae Young was an incredible franchise leader for over seven seasons, the idea of them keeping Doncic on draft night, instead of trading him to the Dallas Mavericks for Young, will always remain in the back of their minds.
The past is the past, and all Atlanta can do now is move forward. When the Slovenian superstar came to town Monday night, while he was wearing a new uniform compared to the one he repped during his first six seasons, he made it clear he has no intentions of leaving his draft-night trade behind.
Doncic went back and forth with a fan - turning back the clock
"Y'all wish you would have had me. Y'all wish, huh?” Doncic asked a fan while walking back on defense.
Do the Hawks, and their fans, wish they could've had the six-time All-Star?
It would be foolish to deny Doncic's greatness and all he's achieved in just over eight NBA seasons. He's been incredible for both franchises he's played for - Dallas and Los Angeles - and is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, at 27 years old, it seems he's reached a new offensive peak.
Averaging just under 40 points per game, if he's able to keep up any production similar to how he's begun this season for the length of the year, his 2026-27 campaign will be one of the best ever offensively.
Doncic, however, has yet to win a championship. Sure, competing in the impossibly-tough Western Conference has limited his success, but defensive concerns and habits of poor shot selection haven't helped, either.
Any team would take a player as talented as Doncic, but since he's already been moved again, how much did the Hawks really pass up on?
Atlanta will forever remember trading Doncic, regardless of important context
When an all-time great is dealt, even if they didn't know it in the moment, the team who shipped him away will always catch heat.
Both Atlanta and Dallas got to see their young stars develop into incredible players, but now that both have moved on, maybe it's time for fans to, as well.
Although, since Doncic brought it up Monday night, there might never be a resolution.
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