There is no question that Marvin Bagley III has what it takes to be an NBA star. If his rookie year is any indication, the second overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft is destined for stardom. That should be good news for the Kings although there is work to be done to guide the 6-foot-11 cager's pro basketball journey.
One thing Bagley will have to overcome is the sophomore jinx. It is something that plagues some NBA stars although critics feel that this is nothing but superstition. But more to that, the fact remains that the 20-year-old from Arizona can break out as early as the 2019-20 NBA season with the Kings. His numbers alone last season are an indication of such.
Bagley had a slow start with the Kings, hardly getting proper playing time before the NBA All-Star break. But even then, his averages of 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds were ample enough to contribute to the team's cause, ESPN said.
But the big difference came after the break where Bagley upped his numbers to 18.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Pundits feel that he can further boost his numbers with some work on both ends of the court.
On offense, there is no question that Bagley can score. But the same does not hold true on the defensive end. At his size, he is expected to be a good rim protector. Hence, if there is one department that he can work on this summer, it would be upping his defensive awareness level, the Ringer suggested.
The 2019-20 NBA season is not expected to be easy for the Kings as they transition to a new head coach in Luke Walton. Little has been said on the progress of Sacramento although one only has to look at how the 39-year-old mentor showed he could call the shots amply when given the opportunity. His stint with the Los Angeles Lakers may not have been a memorable one although it was not entirely on him. The fact that the purple-and-gold were trying to rebuild is a factor, and most feel that the Lakers gave up on him too early.
Walton will get that chance with the Kings and Bagley is expected to play a key role in all of it. His offense will be a big factor for the first-year head coach, an opportunity for him to raise and establish himself as one of the reliable stars for the Sacramento Kings.
