NBA Draft: Marvin Bagley III feels disrespected by not being number 1
By Tyler Watts
NBA Draft prospect Marvin Bagley III commented after his workout with the Suns about feeling disrespected that he is not getting hype has the draft’s top player.
NBA Draft night 2018 takes place on June 21, and the Sacramento Kings are still weighing their options on who to select with the second overall pick. The Kings are down to six candidates, but one will be taken off the board by the Suns with the top pick. Not being the number one overall pick is causing a bit of a stir with consensus top-five prospect Marvin Bagley III.
Ayton fuels the fire
DeAndre Ayton held a workout for the Phoenix Suns on June 6 and made some very strong comments afterwards. Ayton is the consensus number one pick by experts. He stated that he would not work out for other teams including the Kings who hold the second pick. Ayton’s basic premise was he is the best player and will be the top pick, so there is no point showcasing for other teams. You can read the actual quotes from Ayton here.
Bagley III works out in Phoenix and responds
Marvin Bagley III had his workout with the Suns on June 8. He made it quite clear that he thinks Ayton is wrong. Bagley III says he is the best player in this draft class and had strong remarks to back it up. Check out his full comments below courtesy of Tresa Tudrick.
When I asked Marvin Bagley III if there's a chip on his shoulder at all about not being in more No. 1 draft pick talks, he said he feels "disrespected." #12Sports. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/D2AN2UJsoc
— Tresa Tudrick (@tresatudrick) June 8, 2018
Clearly, Bagley III is already developing a chip on his shoulder. If he uses that as motivation to improve his game that is fantastic for him. He appears to be building some mojo against the Suns if they pass on him and Sacramento is likely to get the same treatment unless they chose Bagley III.
Is Bagley better than Ayton?
All the experts say DeAndre Ayton is better than Marvin Bagley III but is that true? Bagley III has a more polished offensive game, but Ayton is the superior defender right now. Ayton also likely has the higher ceiling. Bagley III’s defensive chops are a bit concerning and will keep him from being taken over Ayton.
Related Story: Kings 2018 NBA Draft big board
Neither player is the best in the draft. That distinction goes to Luka Doncic, but both Ayton and Bagley III should excel in the NBA. Expect all three to hear their names called in the top five in the 2018 NBA Draft as well.
Final thoughts
Marvin Bagley III is building a fire inside about not being seen as the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft. Props to the young men for letting that motivate him. He figures to be selected in the three through five range as of this writing. Bagley III should give any team an exciting big man to build their squad around. Stay tuned for more on Marvin Bagley III leading up to the draft.
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