The 2018 NBA Draft class already looks promising. Several players from this class have had good seasons, or have at least shown glimpses of their talents. The most impressive rookie of this season is Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Luka Doncic.
Doncic averages 20.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. In his last game, Doncic tallied a triple-double with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. It was his second triple-double of the season, but this triple-double was even more significant. With this triple-double, Doncic was the first teenager in NBA history to get a 30-point triple-double. Doncic broke LeBron James’ record of being the youngest player in history to record the triple-double. James reached the accomplishment at the age of 20 years, 100 days old.
Doncic has played well and is the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but some of his draftmates have played well. For example, Trae Young of the Hawks is also playing well.
Trae Young was the fifth pick of the 2018 NBA Draft and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. The Hawks traded for Young in a draft day trade. The Hawks traded Luka Doncic, the player they selected third, in exchange for Trae Young. Since then, both rookies have had impressive seasons.
Young averages 16.4 points, 7.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He is arguably a Rookie of the Year candidate behind Doncic. Regardless of who wins Rookie of the Year, both players have bright futures. But, which player will have a better career in the long run? According to Young, he believes he will.
On Monday, Young was on ESPN’s The Jump. He discussed how the draft day trade worked for both the Hawks and Mavericks.
” I think at the end of the day it worked out for both teams,” Young added. “That’s how I look at it. I mean, Luka’s doing really well. I feel like I’m doing really well as well.”
He also said that he thinks he’ll be the better player in five-10 years.
“In my eyes, it’s not a question — it’s going to be me,” He said when asked who would be seen as the better player in five to 10 years. “But that’s just the competitive nature in my blood, and I think that’s the no-brainer with me.”
Doncic and Young will be paired together through their entire career. They are draftmates, but their draft day trade adds more to their story. Will Young be better than Doncic? It is too early to tell. Regardless, both will have great careers.
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