Fansided

Kings shouldn’t draft Marvin Bagley just because he wants to be there

By Rucker Haringey

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional Final at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional Final at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Marvin Bagley deserves some credit for his willingness to play in Sacramento. That doesn’t mean the Kings should draft him.

The Sacramento Kings are struggling to find a high quality draft prospect that actually wants them to select them with the No. 2 overall pick. Duke big man Marvin Bagley is the exception to that rule. He’d love to be selected as high as possible in the draft. That doesn’t mean the Kings should grant him his wish.

The Kings front office has been pretty difficult to nail down all throughout the pre-draft process. Some think Sacramento would like to take DeAndre Ayton, but he’s a virtual certainty to go No. 1 overall to Phoenix. Various NBA sources claim Vlade Divac “does not like Luka Doncic as a prospect.”

If you take that at face value, it means the Kings should be zeroing in on the likes of Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Jr. or even Mo Bamba. Unfortunately, that trio of prospects is doing everything they can to avoid playing for Sacramento. None have granted the Kings a workout or access to their medical records.

In sharp contrast, Bagley was happy to work out for the team and provide them full access to his medical records. He’s made no secret of his belief that he is the best player in this draft. As such, he’d love for the Kings to take him at No. 2. The Sacramento front office should not allow the wishes of these draft prospects to significantly influence who they take on Thursday night.

If Divac and company truly believe Bagley is the best player available when their selection comes up, they should certainly take him. However, the same could be said for Doncic, Jackson Jr., Bamba or any other prospect. The Kings have to take the best player available no matter what. This is a franchise in desperate need of a talent infusion. Passing on a superior player to take Bagley just because he’s willing to go there could set Sacramento back even further.

In fairness, this is a pretty savvy strategy by Bagley and his representatives. Being so open with his willingness to play for the team does boost his stock in their eyes. Even if they try to eliminate it from their decision-making process, they’re only human to let the emotional side of things creep in. Bagley’s positive comments about the Kings has certainly increased his chances of being drafted with the No. 2 pick.

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Bagley may end up playing for the Kings after Thursday night’s draft, but it should only happen if Sacramento believes he’s the best player on the board when their pick comes up. Selecting Bagley because of his willingness to play for the franchise would be a colossal mistake. Unfortunately, it seems like just the sort of mistake the Kings would make.

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