Arrived at the time of the trade deadline on the Detroit side, Marvin Bagley would see himself extending the adventure to Motor City. Has the second pick of the 2018 Draft found the perfect place to finally launch his career?
Lovers of nuggets, the 2018 vintage is made for you. Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mikal Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., many of them shine in the NBA every night and several GMs are rubbing their hands for having made the right choice Draft night. Unfortunately for Marvin Bagley, we are not starting on the same kind of success story. Chosen second by the Kings, the interior will chain disappointments. Irregular, injured several times, far from bearing comparisons with Luka and co, entangled in the middle of the conflicts between his clan and his management, Bagley did not really have the beginnings hoped for by observers. Undesirable in Sacramento, the former Duke took advantage of his trade in Detroit to make a fresh start. Objective: to prove that he is far from having shown his full potential and that he can shut mouths. With 14 points and 7 rebounds in 27 minutes, MB has made his debut in Michigan so far, but we obviously expect more from a player like him in the future. A future he would see in Motor City, as he revealed to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
“We have incredible talent here. Now it’s about figuring out how to work together, to come together to do something bigger. I am definitely packed. I can’t wait to be even closer to the guys, to understand them even more, to make a run in the Playoffs… and even to win titles here. I can not wait to be there. »
With an average age of 25, Detroit is all about youngsters and Bagley could hardly find a better place to get playing time and responsibility.. Welcomed with open arms by the young Pistons, the former King seems to be fully alive in Michigan. Far from the sad image he left in California. A reputation that the player himself does not understand.
“There are the fans, some media, people trying to create these stories for whatever reason. It’s out of my control. I can’t control this stuff. All I can control is the work I do every day, how I am with my teammates, how I treat them and how I fit into my game. I’m not really interested in what people have to say. But that’s what was happening around me, and I didn’t understand it. I didn’t understand it. But it wasn’t for me to figure it out. I just do my best to be the best version of myself. I feel like I can do it here in Detroit. »
Exit the disappointing version seen in Sactown, Marvin Bagley wants to bounce back and stay in Detroit for the long term. Good intentions but the player does not have all the power to decide his fate. Released from the Draft 2018, MB will therefore reach the end of his rookie contract, namely 4 full years. The Pistons being motivated by the idea of extending it, it remains to know the chosen formula. Will they make him an offer over several seasons or offer him the qualifying offer of $14.7 million? A nice amount for a player who has disappointed a lot in recent years, but Detroit has a big envelope for this summer and the men of Michigan can afford to give Bagley a year to prove what he is capable of. If he carbides, the player will probably not forget who pulled him out of the mess and if this is not the case, the Pistons will only have to let him free in the summer of 2023. To him to make themselves indispensable until then
Marvin Bagley is good in Detroit and he could see himself putting his bag down for the duration in Motor City. A young project, playing time, the confidence of his coach, we understand that he likes his life in Michigan.
Source texte : The Athletic