Amazing how history changes in the NBA in a matter of hours. Marvin Bagley, whoever was No. 2 in the 2018 draft, declared on October 18 – he does almost nothing – to be very satisfied to continue with the Sacramento Kings. Today, October 20, his representative attacks the California franchise for what he understands is a mismanagement of the organization with his player, who has been announced that he will not be in the starting five to open the season.
Power forward Jeff Schwartz harshly criticizes the Kings’ handling of his client. It is no longer that he has more or less minutes – he points to the second – but he understands that they have blocked his career despite having opportunities to transfer him.
“Sacramento has communicated to Marvin Bagley that he will not be in the starting rotation on opening night, which is completely disconcerting. It is clear that they have no plans for him in the future and yet they passed up possible deals at the deadline last season, and also this summer, hiding behind ‘value’. Instead, they have chosen to bring him back to play without him, a move completely contradictory to their ‘value’ argument. It is a situation that must be studied as possible malpractice on the part of the organization, “he says.
It’s a tricky business that Bobby Marks can shed some light on. ESPN. This journalist explains that when analyzing the Californians’ decision, an important detail must be taken into account: according to Bagley’s contract, if he is not a starter in 41 games or plays at least 2,000 minutes this season, the qualifiying offer for its continuity it drops from 14.8 million dollars to 7.3. Has this prompted the Sacramento decision? We do not know it.
The point is, Schwartz has been trying to get Bagley traded for over a year without succeeding. Although no one doubts the talent of forwardThe truth is that injuries have been weighing him down in his short career for now. Last year, without going any further, he suffered a broken wrist a month before the trade deadline; such a setback could be decisive for him to continue with the Kings.
Everything points to a change of scene for Bagley sooner rather than later. Luke Walton wants to play with small quintets in which De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield or even rookie Davion MItchell, aim to have more prominence than Bagley, who will be a restricted free agent next summer if he does not leave sooner. the Texas organization. Last season he averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds with 50% shooting from the field.
(Photograph by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)