Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 1 in 2018 NBA Draft
4. Marvin Bagley III, PF/C — Duke
Ironically enough, all the hype Marvin Bagley III warranted throughout his collegiate season at Duke may wind up making him the most slept-on top-five pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. After all, this is a 19-year-old who bulldozed his competition to the tune of 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game on 61.4 percent shooting from the field and 39.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Many prospects are praised for playing with a high motor, but calling it a “motor” wouldn’t do Bagley justice; dude plays with an engine that could power a NASCAR racer. He’s aggressive on the glass, has a lightning quick first step and at 6’11” is capable of making plays in the open court thanks to his speed, surprising fluidity and ball-handling skills.
His 39.7 percent shooting from downtown is misleading, as his 62.7 free throw percentage indicates. However, if his perimeter shot develops into something more reliable, his ability to attack off the dribble and finish around, over and through defenders will make him an exceptional threat on offense.
However, there are also flaws in his game at the next level aside from the jumper. With only a 7’0″ wingspan, Bagley isn’t long or strong enough to be a full-time center, making him a bit of a tweener. He’s got the lateral quickness to improve on the defensive end, but he was often late on rotations at Duke and only averaged 0.9 blocks per game, neither of which can happen in the NBA for him to be a small-ball 5.
I'm not a scout by any means, but I'm just not worried about Bagley's defense like a lot of people are. He has the athleticism & the high motor to get better on that end. I also think you draft him as a 4 & not a 5. Don't know of many 5's that can do stuff like this. pic.twitter.com/sUERnf9tlc
— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) April 22, 2018
Though he’s an athletic finisher, he typically favors his left hand, which will become predictable at the next level — especially for a player who can’t really create his own shot off the dribble yet. After taking both Chriss and Bender in 2016, selecting another young 4-who-might-be-a-5 would be ill-advised as well, unless the Suns were absolutely certain he’s the best prospect in the draft.
This Arizona native could become a perennial 20-10 guy in this league, and his speed on offense and lateral quickness on defense should prevent him from becoming the next Jahlil Okafor. With that being said, Marvin Bagley is neither the most NBA-ready prospect, nor does he appear to have the highest ceiling, limiting him to No. 4 on our list.