2018DD

#2 – Marvin Bagley III – Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings selected Duke’s Marvin Bagley III with the second overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2018

After a draft process that reportedly involved them also considering Luka Doncic and perhaps Jaren Jackson Jr., the Sacramento Kings appeared to narrow in on Marvin Bagley III of Duke. Bagley, a 6-foot-11 big man, played one year with the Blue Devils before making the leap to the NBA.

Bagley is an intriguing prospect, one who combines elite athleticism with a high motor and the potential to stretch the floor with his shooting stroke. He’s extremely quick both laterally and vertically, with as much potential as any player in this class if he can harness these athletic properties into basketball skills. His jump shot came and went at Duke, something he needs work on, and there are real questions about his ability to think the game, especially defensively. He doesn’t have the length to project as a top rim protector at the NBA level unless he makes major strides mentally.

Still, Bagley projects to step in to a productive role right away in Sacramento. He was one of the only players in the upper echelon of the lottery to show real interest in playing for the Kings, including providing medical information other agents withheld. The Kings could rue passing on a prospect of Doncic’s stature, especially if the only reason they did so was concerns about ball-handling time with De’Aaron Fox. But they’ve got a high-ceiling player here who could become a star with the right physical and mental development.

2018DD

Sources: 76ers Trade Khyri Thomas to Pistons

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2018

Basketball Insiders

Philadelphia’s No. 38 overall pick Khyri Thomas will be traded to Detroit, league sources say.

Philadelphia’s No. 38 overall pick Khyri Thomas will be traded to Detroit, league sources say.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2018

Source: Shams Charania on Twitter

2018DD

Sources: Kings Trade Gary Trent Jr. to Blazers

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2018

Basketball Insiders

Gary Trent Jr. is headed to the Blazers in a trade, league source tells ESPN.

Gary Trent Jr. is headed to the Blazers in a trade, league source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018

Portland will send Sacramento to two future second-round picks for Trent, league sources tell ESPN.

Portland will send Sacramento to two future second-round picks for Trent, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/epxA4sHMS5

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter

2018DD

#30 – Omari Spellman – Atlanta Hawks

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2018

Lang Greene

With the No. 30 pick in the NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Omari Spellman from Villanova University. .

After 10 consecutive seasons reaching the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks failed to win 25 contests in 2018. Gone are All-Stars Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague, all of whom the franchise groomed at various points during their decade of playoff bliss. Now the team is faced with a daunting rebuild under second year general manager Travis Schlenk and first year coach Lloyd Pierce.

Spellman was the third Villanova player selected in the first round of this year’s draft behind Mikal Bridges (No. 10 overall) and Donte DiVincenzo (No. 17 overall). In his lone campaign with the Wildcats, Spellman appeared in 40 contests and averaged 10.9 points, eight rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

The Hawks continue to add shooting to their rebuilding roster. With the No. 3 overall pick, the team selected Luka Doncic, who will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks for the rights to No. 5 overall pick Trae Young. The team used the No. 19 overall selection to draft shooting guard Kevin Huerter from the University of Maryland. In Spellman, the Hawks acquire a big man that shot 43 percent from the collegiate three-point line last season.

In addition to Young and Huerter, Spellman will join a young Hawks core featuring point guard Dennis Schroder and forward John Collins, two of the team’s first round draft picks from prior years.