The Sacramento Kings have been getting roasted for drafted Marvin Bagley over Luka Doncic. Fair criticism. Doncic is averaging 21 points per game as a rookie and looks like a sure-fire superstar. The Kings took Marvin Bagley with the 2nd overall pick instead who isn’t quite having the same impact. Does Sacramento regret it’s choice? Publicly it appears that they don’t. Privately? Who knows.
Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee had the following quote from Kings head coach, Dave Joerger:
“I think you look (at) — especially high picks — to me, just take the best player you can get, and I think we got the best player,” Joerger said. “I just think the sky’s the limit for Marvin, and I don’t know how high Luka’s (ceiling) is. I think he’s had a terrific season. I’ve enjoyed watching him, (but) we’re fired up about our guy. You talk about just scraping the tip of what he can do talent-wise. I think it’s going to be really fun to be around him for a long, long time.”
I had said prior to the draft that I thought Bagley was the best player in the 2018 NBA Draft. I also never watched Luka Doncic play overseas so I really had no clue how good the guy was. If I would have scouted him, I may have felt differently. Again, can’t really say. I compared Bagley to Chris Bosh coming out and I think the Kings should at least feel encouraged that he’s on that type of trajectory.
Bagley, 20, is shooting 52 percent from the floor, 70 percent from the free throw line, and 31 percent from 3-point range. Bagley is also averaging almost 15 points per game. The Kings have no reason to regret their choice yet because Bagley has been good. Doncic, on the other hand, just looks different from other rookies. The two are actually averaging the same PER at 19.4. Time will tell who becomes the better pro but so far Doncic is leading the charge.
