While other teams are high on selecting European young basketball phenom Luka Doncic, the Sacramento Kings want to take in a big man from the 2018 NBA Draft, which will be held on Thursday at Barclays Center. According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Kings are eyeing former Duke big man Marvin Bagley III as their first-round selection.
Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News tweeted that the Kings are locked in on taking Bagley, who left the Blue Devils after just a one-year stay in Durham. The Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in drafting former Arizona star Deandre Ayton with the number 1 overall pick.
In his only season with the Blue Devils, the 6-foot-11 Bagley averaged 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and tallied 22 double-doubles in 33 games. Bagley also earned the distinction of being the third player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring, rebounds, and shooting percentage (61.4).
The Kings are hoping that Bagley could emerge as the team's top big man who will complement their other scorers, such as De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. The Kings are also looking for a player who will serve as the team's cornerstone for years to come.
Bagley Also Wants To Play For Kings
This week, Bagley worked out with the Kings, who liked what they saw from the 19-year-old big man. After his workout, Bagley also expressed his intention and willingness to play for the Kings.
"I love it here, just being around all the people I've seen so far and met so far, just walking around the city, it's a cool environment to be in," Bagley says. According to Bagley, he felt that the Kings are the team where he can focus on the court and get better.
Aside from the Kings, Bagley also worked out for the Suns. He was also scheduled to work out for the Atlanta Hawks, who own the number 3 overall pick. The Hawks are reportedly eyeing Doncic.
Bagley's Strengths And Weaknesses
According to Rob Dauster of Pro Basketball Talk, Bagley and Ayton are almost alike in terms of talent, but the former Arizona star is surrounded by all the hype and talk as the number 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
When it comes to offense, Dauster said Bagley is the perfect prototype of a small-ball center. Dauster believes that Bagley could dominate the paint, space the floor with his outside shooting, and become an excellent rebounder.
Bagley's downside, according to Dauster, is his lack of capacity to defend the opponent's center. Dauster said Bagley is not a rim protector in any way, and his short wingspan could become a liability in the NBA.
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