A Royal Pain
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Evaluating the Kings Picking Marvin Bagley III, Winners of the NBA Draft

By Bobby Cummings

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III speaks to the media after being selected second overall by the Sacramento Kings at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III speaks to the media after being selected second overall by the Sacramento Kings at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jon Lopez/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 23: Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings is introduced to the media on June 23, 2018 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)Marvin Bagley III
SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 23: Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings is introduced to the media on June 23, 2018 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)Marvin Bagley III /

Sacramento Kings

We have had a week to internalize feelings from the NBA Draft and the Sacramento Kings selecting Marvin Bagley III (MB3Five) with the second overall pick. Now that we have taken our collective breath, let us discuss the selection of Bagley and the Kings passing on European phenom and the darling of the Kings’ fanbase Luka Doncic.

Leading up to the draft, it seemed like a no-brainer for Sacramento to select Doncic. There was a myriad of reasons why. 1) The Kings’ biggest hole on their roster is at small forward (Luka’s position), 2) Doncic was the consensus number #1 player on most draft boards, and 3) Doncic was the most popular pick amongst Kings fans.

But the Kings’ front office had their eyes set on Marvin Bagley III all along. There are four players in this draft who have superstar potential and Bagley is one of them. He is only 19, has very good athleticism, and is already a polished scorer.

If Bagley improves his handle, learns to finish with his right hand, and develops a reliable three-point jumper, he could average 25 points per game in his prime. Defensively, he played mostly in a zone scheme, but there is no doubt he has to improve on that end of the floor.

Overall, Bagley is a great kid and has presented himself well during his first week in Sactown. He has a bright future, and as someone who was entrenched in the Luka Camp, I am excited for Bagley as he is an intriguing player to have in the picture for Kings fandom. Only time will tell who will be regarded as the better player between Bagley and Doncic, but it is fair to assume both of them have All-Star games in their respective futures.

NBA free agency hits this weekend and A Royal Pain will be providing analysis throughout the weekend covering all of the Kings’ personnel decisions.

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