The Sacramento Kings have been doing well in the early goings of the 2020-21 NBA season, 3-3 as of this writing. But like last season, there is a player who remains unhappy with their playing time under head coach Luke Walton.

The latest player who is reportedly unhappy with the time given to him on the floor is Marvin Bagley III. The issue started when the dismayed father of Bagley called on the Kings to trade his son on social media. A reason seen behind the request is the diminished playing time of the second overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. The father, Marvin Bagley Jr., runs the Team Bagley Twitter account.

Curiously, the 25 minutes or so that Bagley has been getting from the Kings is consistent since he joined the league in 2019. He averaged 25.3 minutes in 62 games in his rookie year, averaging 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, an assist and a block at that time.

 

He played only 13 games last season, playing 25.7 minutes per outing. His numbers slightly dipped as he dealt with a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb and a knee injury. So in all, it has now become stranger why the elder Bagley would come out of nowhere to ask for a trade.

Aware that he would be asked about the who Twitter rant, the 6-foot-11 cager made sure that media would not ask him anything related to the controversial tweet before the Kings vs. Golden State Warriors game on Sunday, NBC Sports reported.

“Before we start, I just want to say that if there are no questions about the game tomorrow or what we’re going to do tomorrow, please don’t ask, I don’t want to give any extra information on nothing,” Bagley stated. “If you don’t have any questions about the team and tomorrow’s game, then hold off.”

Bagley is in an odd situation, something he is unhappy about. For now, the trade demands due to alleged lack of playing time does not make sense – unless the elder Bagley wants to see Walton use his son more frequently.

So far this season, Bagley has averaged 11.8 points, 8 rebounds and an assist. The numbers are hardly impressive although more minutes could up those statistics. But then again, that all depends on Walton and company when it comes to utilizing the former Duke product.

Unless the Kings fail to live up to expectations, the current rotation of Walton is likely to stick. As for Bagley, it may be foolish to consider a trade right now until he comes up with a better and consistent showing for Sacramento.