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NBA Draft 2018: 5 best fits for Marvin Bagley

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 03: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on February 3, 2018 in New York City. St. John's won 81-77. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 03: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on February 3, 2018 in New York City. St. John's won 81-77. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers chest bump against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers chest bump against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Brett Brown’s team has the luxury of being a high-ceiling playoff contender that’s still armed with a top-10 draft pick. That affords the 76ers the option to draft a player without really thinking about filling a specific need.

In a perfect world, Philadelphia would like to draft a high quality wing with their first round pick. It’s possible Bagley might slip to them and provide more value than anyone else available at that spot. It’s also possible the 76ers might opt to fill their void on the wing via free agency.

Bagley would give them a really interesting big man to add to their rotation of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, though. The former is, of course, going to have his games and minutes limited for the foreseeable future. Bagley could start and play big minutes on nights where Embiid isn’t an option.

He could play alongside Embiid against certain opponents, too. Embiid’s shot blocking ability would cover up Bagley’s struggles to protect the rim. Bagley’s ability to play out of the high post could further unlock Embiid’s developing post game.

Bagley would be an excellent partner for Saric against certain opponents as well. Neither can protect the rim, but offensively they could really bother opponents. Saric’s ability to shoot 3s would leave Bagley plenty of room to comfortably operate in the low block.

Bagley probably won’t make it to No. 10, but if he does, don’t be surprised to see the 76ers step up and stop the big man’s fall on draft night.

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