The Sacramento Kings have struggled over the last decade or so creating a legitimate playoff team. With the longest playoff drought in the NBA at 13 years, the Kings need to make some moves to be competitive again in the Western Conference, one of which could involve Marvin Bagley III.
The Kings haven't drafted well at all which is a big reason why they haven't been competitive. Since 2012, the Kings have had seven picks in the top 10. None of those guys have made an All-Star game, and other than De'Aron Fox, nobody is even close.
Thomas Robinson, Ben McLemore, Nik Stauskas, Willie Cauley-Stein, Marquese Chriss, and lastly, Marvin Bagley have all been top ten selections by the Kings. Only Bagley remains on the team, but not for much longer.
After Marvin Bagley's dad expressed his frustrations on Twitter, a Marvin Bagley trade seems imminent.
lol what a tool pic.twitter.com/ZYHWVYsEwe
— Greg (@gwiss) January 3, 2021
With that being said, the Kings are forced into a position where they have a publicly unhappy player who wants out.
Here are a few potential trades that the Kings can make to remove themselves from this toxic situation.
#1. Kings trade with Raptors
Kings trade away: Marvin Bagley
Kings receive: Norman Powell, Terence Davis
This trade makes sense for both teams.
The Raptors have had some serious struggles with their bigs this year, losing both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Pascal Siakam has not been playing at an All-Star level. Also, Aron Baynes and Chris Boucher are not cutting it for the Raptors.
At 1-6, Toronto is desperate for a change of play to inspire winning. Marvin Bagley would be just that. Bagley is mobile, plays in the pick and roll, and would be able to log 30+ minutes per night. Alongside Pascal Siakam, the Raptors would have one of the youngest, longest, and most mobile frontcourts in the NBA.
The Kings have an opportunity to move on from Bagley, who has been a major team distraction and instead add some talented scorers to their roster.
Norman Powell is having a down year, but has shown that he can contribute 15+ points per game when given the opportunity. He's versatile enough to play the three and is a very good two-way player. He would compliment Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox very well.
Terence Davis has some off-court issues that he needs to get sorted out, but on the court, he has shown a great deal of potential. He'll need to be more consistent on the defensive side of the ball, but Davis could be a really nice piece for this Kings second unit moving forward.
#2. Kings trade with Timberwolves
Kings trade away: Marvin Bagley
Kings receive: Jarrett Culver, Jake Layman
This trade rounds out the Timberwolves' starting lineup while giving the Kings some promising young talent in return.
The Timberwolves are solid everywhere on their roster other than power forward. With Jarred Vanderbilt and Ed Davis logging heavy minutes, there is definitely some room for improvement. Adding Bagley to the mix gives them length and versatility in their frontcourt. Bagley and Towns would be one of the most feared frontcourts in the NBA. The Timberwolves don't have to move Russell or Edwards to make this deal, making it even more worthwhile.
The Kings receive last season's sixth overall selection, Jarrett Culver, and role player Jake Layman, in return. Culver could be one of the Kings' foundational building blocks for years to come. He is a versatile wing player who can assume the role of a secondary playmaker and occasional scorer. Culver has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NBA, he will just need to improve on his shot selection and decision making if he wants to be more effective on the floor.
The Kings move on from Bagley and receive a promising prospect in return. Not a bad move considering Bagley's team has made a public outcry for his removal from Sacramento.
#3. Kings trade with Mavericks
Kings trade away: Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield
Kings Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dwight Powell, Josh Green, 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 2nd round pick.
This one is a little bit out there, but there is a possibility that the Kings completely blow it up and look to rebuild around De'Aron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, removing both Bagley and Hield from the equation.
Buddy Hield has four years left on his $86 million deal with the Kings but is averaging only 15 points per game on 34% shooting. This is Hield's lowest point total since 2017, and his worst field goal percentage by a significant margin. These struggles early on have to have the Kings wondering if they made a mistake signing Hield to such a big deal.
Tyrese Haliburton, on the other hand, has been exceptional as a rookie for the Kings and has made the case already that he should be a focal point for the Kings. Getting rid of Hield's contract may be beneficial in itself for the future success of the Kings.
Adding Bagley to the mix sweetens the pot for the receiving team. The second overall pick has shown flashes of dominance in his brief career with the Kings and still has plenty to offer on a rookie contract.
The Mavericks would be excellent suitors.
The Mavericks have to part ways with rookie Josh Green early on which is unfortunate, but in return, they receive a player who can contribute right now and another potential foundational piece for the future.
Hield will add outside shooting for the Mavericks, something they desperately need. With Luka continuously creating offense, the Mavericks could really use someone who can score from the outside. Marvin Bagley and Kristaps Porzingis in the frontcourt make the Mavericks roster long, mobile, and versatile.
The Porzingis can provide outside scoring, while Bagley can contribute on the interior.
This trade would turn the Mavericks into a more serious title contender.
Overall
Marvin Bagley has the potential to be a solid NBA player, Sacramento may just be the wrong place for him. A trade is almost inevitable at this point, but it's important that the Kings get what Bagley is worth in return. That could be possible with the three trades above. Let's hope someone from the Kings reads this article.
Then again, would it surprise you if the Kings don't do anything at all? They are the Kings after all.
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