Sacramento Kings: 2018 NBA Draft grades
By Dan Lovi
No. 2: Marvin Bagley III, Duke
The Kings had a game plan heading into the 2018 NBA Draft and executed, selecting the 19-year-old big man from Duke. While many draft analysts had Doncic rated higher, the Kings wanted MB3 and they would not be deterred.
Bagley had a tremendous freshman campaign for the Blue Devils, averaging 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. He notched 22 double-doubles in 33 games played and was named the ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
MB3 is an exceptional athlete who can score and rebound with the best of them. His defense is a concern however — he averaged less than one block per game in college.
Regardless of his defensive liabilities, Bagley will be expected to start for the Kings, as he looks to form a dynamic duo with De’Aaron Fox. The Kings held a draft party at the Golden 1 Center, and the fans’ reactions tell you all you need to know about how they feel about the selection.
Sacramento’s reaction to hearing Duke’s Marvin Bagley III as their newest King @MB3FIVE @Golden1Center pic.twitter.com/bjRYAq6v2U
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 21, 2018
Shaquille O’Neal, who is a Kings minority owner, also weighed in on MB3’s future in the league and his fashion sense.
Congratulations @MB3FIVE and welcome to Sacramento. You've got a big career ahead of you. Already starting in style, nice work @jcpenney #partner pic.twitter.com/YXjrLhXHIW
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) June 22, 2018
One player who could take a backseat with the arrival of Bagley is Skal Labissiere. The Haitian big man started 29 games for the Kings last season and made positive strides in his sophomore season. Now, Bagley will most likely start at the No. 4 spot from the get-go, alongside Willie Cauley-Stein, the Kings’ main defensive anchor. That will leave fewer minutes for Labissiere, who will now serve primarily as a rotation player.
Zach Randolph is another player whose minutes might be expendable, but he could still be a great mentor to Bagley. The similarities between the two players is uncanny, with both being great low-post scorers, rebounders and left-handed players to boot. The 6’11” lefty is sure to turn heads when he debuts his smooth low-post moves and could learn some new tricks from the veteran.
The Sacramento Kings got their guy, although he was ranked as the third-best prospect by most analysts after Doncic and Deandre Ayton. Kings brass is confident in the pick and will be hoping their confidence will be rewarded.
Grade: B+