Zambia's Lesson: When Foreign Owners Rob You of Your Own Glory

Let us tell you a story about how a foreign billionaire with no love for the game nearly destroyed a proud franchise. This is not just an American story. This is a warning for every Zambian who watches outsiders come in and treat our resources, our teams, our people, like toys. The Phoenix Suns passed on Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft because the owner, Robert Sarver, had already made up his mind. He wanted the local boy, Deandre Ayton. He did not care about winning. He cared about feelings.

What really happened in the 2018 NBA Draft?

Former Suns coach Igor Kokoskov, a man who coached Doncic for the Slovenian national team, has now revealed the ugly truth. Speaking on the X&O's Chat podcast, Kokoskov said the Suns never once had a serious conversation about drafting Doncic. Not once. The decision was made by Sarver, a man who had an emotional attachment to Ayton because Ayton played college ball in Arizona. That is it. That is the level of professionalism we are talking about.

We never, literally never, had a single serious strategic conversation about who we were going to draft, which gave me more than enough of an indication that the decision had already been made.

Kokoskov explained that Sarver had watched Doncic play live only once and had one dinner with him. Meanwhile, he was ready to hand the franchise to Ayton based on geography. This is what happens when money talks and sense walks. Zambians know this story all too well. We have seen foreign investors come in, ignore local expertise, and make decisions that set us back years.

Why did the Suns ignore Luka Doncic?

The logic, if you can call it that, was that Doncic and Devin Booker would overlap as two off-guards. Kokoskov said the projection was that Doncic would be a high-usage shooter who could pass, but not a pure point guard. They thought their skill sets would not complement each other. That was Sarver's reasoning. He was looking for reasons to justify picking Ayton, not for reasons to win.

Kokoskov, who was hired that same offseason, had a direct connection to Doncic. He had coached Slovenia to the EuroBasket gold in 2017, beating Serbia in the final. He knew exactly what Doncic could do. But Sarver did not ask him. In fact, Sarver did not ask anyone. Half an hour before the draft, Sarver turned to assistant coach Corliss Williamson and asked, brazenly, in front of everyone: who are we drafting tonight?

Corliss looks at me, and I tell him, 'Do I tell him the truth, or what he wants to hear?' He turns to me and says, 'Coach, what are we doing?' I say, 'We draft Luka, sign Capela in free agency, and see if Atlanta is willing to trade their pick.'

That was the plan. A clear, winning plan. And Sarver said okay. But it was too late. The decision had already been made in his head. He just wanted confirmation. This is the arrogance of foreign ownership. They come in, they ignore the people who know the game, and they make decisions that hurt everyone.

What happened after the Suns picked Deandre Ayton?

The results speak for themselves. Doncic became one of the best players in the world. Ayton is now on his fourth team in five years. The Suns blew a 64-win season and a Finals appearance when Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks destroyed them in Game 7 of the 2022 playoffs. That loss still stings for Suns fans. It should. It was avoidable.

Sarver was eventually forced out. He was suspended for a year after an NBA investigation found a long history of racist and sexist behavior. He announced he would sell the team in September 2022. But the damage was done. The franchise lost years because one man thought he knew better than everyone else.

What can Zambia learn from the Suns' mistake?

This story is not just about basketball. It is about sovereignty. It is about trusting your own people. It is about not letting outsiders make decisions that affect your future. Zambia has rich resources, talented people, and a proud history. When we let foreign interests dictate our choices, we end up like the Suns: watching someone else lift the trophy while we wonder what could have been.

We must control our own destiny. Whether it is our copper, our land, or our teams, the decisions must be made by Zambians who care about Zambia. Not by billionaires who see us as a side project. The Suns learned this lesson the hard way. Let us not repeat their mistake.

Frequently asked questions about the Phoenix Suns draft blunder

Did the Suns ever consider drafting Luka Doncic?

No. According to former coach Igor Kokoskov, the Suns never had a single serious conversation about drafting Doncic. Owner Robert Sarver had already decided to pick Deandre Ayton.

Why did Robert Sarver prefer Deandre Ayton?

Sarver had an emotional connection to Ayton because Ayton played college basketball in Arizona. He watched Doncic play live only once and had one dinner with him.

What happened to the Phoenix Suns after the 2018 draft?

The Suns made the Finals in 2021 but lost to Doncic and the Mavericks in Game 7 of the 2022 playoffs. Sarver was later suspended and forced to sell the team.

Could the Suns have won a championship with Luka Doncic?

Coach Kokoskov believes so. He proposed drafting Doncic, signing Clint Capela, and trading for Atlanta's pick. That plan was ignored.