NBA Draft 2018: Way too early Rookie of the Year rankings

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Trae Young speaks to the media after being selected fifth overall 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 Kostas Lymperopoulos/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5 of 5

NEW YORK, USA – JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York, United States. (Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

1. Marvin Bagley

Bagley would have preferred to be the No. 1 pick but instead he had to settle to going to Sacramento one spot later. He could easily turn the tables on Ayton to finish first in this season’s Rookie of the Year voting.

In theory, Bagley will end the Kings’ long search for a legitimate starter at the power forward position. That should give him a ton of opportunities to combine with De”Aaron Fox in the pick and roll. His ability to hit perimeter jump shots consistently will go a long way towards determining just how efficient that strategy will be.

The good news is that Bagley can also score without having plays run for him. He projects to be an excellent offensive rebounder as a rookie. Given how much the Kings will want to run next season, expect Bagley to get a lot of easy second chance buckets in transition. Points and rebounds tend to carry a lot of weight with ROY voters.

Next: Suns take DeAndre Ayton at No. 1

The only trouble with Bagley’s candidacy will be whether or not he can help Sacramento win more games next season. Some voters may hold the team’s lack of success against him. In a tight race that might be enough to keep him from winning the prestigious award. Back Bagley to help Sacramento win just enough to take home silverware. He won’t be the best player in this draft class, but he might put up the most counting stats as a rookie.