Why Luka Doncic Could Retire Today And Still Make The Hall of Fame
As Luka Doncic continues to dazzle NBA fans with his otherworldly skills, a question emerges: If the Slovenian superstar were to retire today, would he be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? While it may seem premature to discuss Hall of Fame credentials for a 25-year-old, Doncic's case is unique and compelling.
First, it’s important to understand that the Basketball Hall of Fame considers a player's entire basketball career, not just their NBA accomplishments. This distinction is vital when evaluating Doncic, whose European resume alone is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Before turning 18, Doncic had already achieved what many players dream of in a lifetime. He led Real Madrid to a EuroLeague championship in 2018, earning both EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP honors. Add to that three Spanish Liga ACB titles, two Spanish King's Cup victories, and a FIBA Intercontinental Cup championship, and you have a European career that rivals many NBA legends.
For the Mavericks, Doncic has continued his trajectory of excellence. In just six seasons, he has amassed five All-Star selections, five All-NBA team nods, a Rookie of the Year award, and a scoring title. His impact was immediate and profound, earning All-Rookie honors and winning ROTY in his debut season.
Internationally, Doncic has been incredible for Slovenia. He was the top scorer in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and made the All-FIBA World Cup Team. At EuroBasket 2017, he led his country to victory and made the All-Tournament Team, further solidifying his global basketball impact.
According to Basketball-Reference.com's Hall of Fame probability metric, Doncic currently has a 41.2 percent chance of making the Hall of Fame. This places him third among NBA players under 30, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo (98.7 percent) and Nikola Jokic (98.0 percent). It's worth noting that this metric primarily considers NBA achievements, potentially undervaluing Doncic's European accomplishments.
While Doncic's case for the Hall of Fame is strong, some may argue that his NBA career is still too short for consideration. However, precedent exists for players with abbreviated careers making the Hall. Bill Walton, for instance, was inducted despite playing only 468 NBA games due to injuries. Doncic has already played 400 NBA games as of the 2023-24 season.
Ultimately, Doncic's Hall of Fame case rests on the unprecedented nature of his basketball journey. Few players in history have achieved so much across multiple levels of competition by age 25. His European dominance, coupled with his NBA stardom and international success, presents a compelling case for Hall of Fame induction, even if he were to retire today.
