Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton discussed Marvin Bagley and his commitment to the team during Media Day Monday.
Walton was asked about Marvin Bagley and where things stand with him. Here was part of his response.
“He had a career year last year, and there’s always going to be distractions, nothing ever runs perfectly smooth but that’s part of it, that’s how you grow, that’s how the team grows, you go through different things. The progress he made last season before he got hurt, continue to work this summer and then we come into camp. He’s tall, he’s versatile, he’s skilled, athletic, so these are all things we are excited to see,” Walton said. “It is great to talk about all of these things, but where it really comes in is watching it live in camp starting tomorrow so we’re thrilled to have him here and excited about working with him.”
The career year aspect of his response has garnered a lot of attention in the Twitter-sphere.
When you look at Bagley’s stats, his output actually decreased from last season in the following categories: points (14.1 from 14.2), blocks (.5 from .9), rebounds (7.4 from 7.5) and free throw percentage (from 57% from 80%). He increased his assists (1 assist from .8), three-point percentage (34% from 18%), and field goal percentage (50% from 46%). He shot 31% from three in his first season but took 1.5 per game, compared to 2.5 per game last season. When you look at his stats for all three seasons together, he hasn’t improved in any stat category consistently, though he did average the most minutes per games last season at 25.9. His points, rebounding and blocks, though minimally, have declined consecutively over his first three seasons. He played in 62 games in the 2018-19 season, 13 in the 2019-20 season and 43 last season, so it really makes more sense to compare last season to his first, and in that sense there hasn’t been much improvement. In fact, his field goal percentage, assists and steals numbers are exactly the same between year 1 and last season. So, from a stats perspective, there isn’t a ton to suggest it was a career year.
Now, there were times last season when Bagley did show some minimal improvements in terms of decision making, defense and being able to knock down a three so there was some progress, and if you take that by itself it could maybe be considered a good season for his career. The question with Bagley still remains with his health and his ability to fit into a team concept, which makes this comment from Walton interesting:
“What’s important now is he’s got a Kings jersey on and he’s part of this group and what is most important about all of that is the group. So, we’re going to go into camp and we’re going to have a lot of competition at a lot of spots and we’re going to see, in my opinion, who is giving us the best chance of playing the way we want to play, which will ultimately lead to winning basketball games,” Walton said.
Another question is about Bagley’s commitment to the Kings given all of the questionable social media posts we have seen over the last few seasons. Walton said Bagley is committed: “His commitment is to the team. He didn’t have to be here until today, or I guess yesterday technically for testing, but he was here all of last week working with the guys,” he said.
Bagley talked about his commitment and said he has been working with the team for the last two weeks.
“I was working my ass off all summer, just making sure I was ready to come back and show what I’ve been doing in the summertime so I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to kind of be in a spot where I can get better and just keep continuing to move forward,” Bagley said. “My only thing is to continue to give everything I’ve got to this team as long as I am here, however long I’m here, that’s God’s plan. I’m here and I’m going to give it everything that I’ve got and that’s all that I can control. I can’t worry about the other stuff. I’m excited to be here and I’m ready to get another season going. I’m blessed to be able to come into it healthy and I’m excited to finish the season off healthy.”
One important note that came out of Bagley’s session with media was that he has been working with new Kings assistant coach Doug Christie since he’s been back in Sacramento.
“We’ve been talking about basketball a lot and we’ve been doing some amazing stuff in here in the morning, early in the morning before we play and before we lift,” Bagley said. He said Christie has been teaching him “little things that I maybe didn’t know before. … He’s been showing me a lot of different things on the court – different drills, different small things I can learn how to use on my body and just stuff that I can take with me and use to be a better player.”
That is good news. It will be interesting to watch how much Christie can influence the players, including Bagley. It will also be interesting to see where Bagley ends up in the rotation as preseason begins.
Watch Bagley’s and Walton’s full press conferences below.
And he’s going to have a contract year this year!
First I puked. Then I laughed. Now I just feel nauseous.
The shitshow called The Kings has a 100 year half life.
Do any of these people actually believe the BS they are saying?
Maybe they should’ve gone with something like, “Marv and I are fighting for our basketball lives. We know we’ve let you down, we’re pissed off at ourselves about it, and we’re going to do everything we can to make this city proud of this team again. Luke, out.”
Oh… you mean take on some personal responsibility and have some respect for the people you’re ultimately employed for?
good luck with that.
As others have said previously, this organization has more comedy/drama value than basketball entertainment value.
The career year thing is pretty bizarre, but I can understand why Walton is happy to have him back. I love that Bagley is working with DC; you just couldn’t ask for a better tutor in the ways of defense.
If Bagley is healthy, he’s shown that he can be a problem for defenses, and rebounds at a good rate. He definitely needs to do better than an assist per game, and absolutely needs to show defensive improvement. I don’t think that it’s impossible for Bagley to pull his weight on defense, and if he can, that’s a twenty-two year-old with a ton of upside.
It may be wishful thinking, but I’d like to see the guy succeed, even if only for his own sake.
This is my take, basically. Your last paragraph sums it up nicely for me.
My God! Andy Sims writes without snark…guru writes a one line response. Either the site has been hacked or it’s a brand new day on TKH.
Looking to be entertained again this year by the kings and the board. Thanks to all for the writers for the content and all the posters for the laughs.
The end is nigh for sure.
nigh AF
Whether or not is a career year doesn’t mean much, given the low bar for every year so far. Luke is trying to frame things optimistically, most coaches would. I don’t think anyone here is holding their breath for Bagley to suddenly have a feel for the NBA game.
Walton can spin doctor it all he wants, but I’m not buying. It’s kind of like spraying perfume on a turd to mask the smell……. but the bottom line is it’s still a turd.
God undoubtedly spends a lot of time thinking about where Marvin Bagley plays professional basketball. totally agree with MB there.
Translation: Bagley is amazing and we’d rather have him than Simmons so don’t call us anymore unless you have a offer we can’t refuse.
Now we just need Fox to talk about how he’s going to make the playoffs with Bagley a part of it all.
Aren’t they facing a huge dilemma regarding October 18? If they exercise the QO and make him a restricted free agent in 2022 and he keeps getting hurt or doesn’t wildly improve, he’s a negative asset from a trade standpoint. If they don’t and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, they are essentially developing him for the next team. While any team including the Kings could sign him … he’s not coming back here. (Or am I wrong and they already excised that option and make that offer?)
His qualifying offer for next year is about 14.7 million dollars and not a lot of teams we’re excited to trade for his 11 million dollar salary this year
… cause whether in three weeks, he’s either: (1) 95% gone after this season no matter what, suddenly very trade-able as an expiring with upside; or conversely (2) under team control but with a 2022-2023 salary exposure that is unpalatable for several teams … seems pretty relevant to many of the Bagley conversations
Bagley isn’t under team control. This isn’t MLB. That’s horrible misplaced terminology in this particular context. Bagley has to agree to his QO, for starters, and all that really does is make him a RFA in reality next summer.
There are very, very few QOs signed, and for good reason. It puts alot of restrictions on both team and player.
What’s happening on October 18th? Bagley is not getting an early extension, you don’t offer QOs until after the season, and both option years have been exercised already….
I don’t get this point at all…..
I knew I was fuzzy on the CBA. I recalled that most rookie benchmarks and years were at the start of each season and mistakenly assumed the ability to extend / fiscal commitment also occurred at this interval. Thanks!
The only rookie scale related thing happening that I know of is Tyrese Haliburton’s 3rd year team option is going to need to be picked up. Other than that, the only other deadline would be an extension for Bagley. And I can’t see that one happening for a variety of reasons.
Bagley later laughed and said, “hell, I’ll get that dude’s ass fired by December”
A few moments later, Bagley sprained a quad reaching for a towel.
I want no part of Bagley being the starting PF, and he should not be qualified to be the starting PF………….
This whole organization/thing is a joke.
A terrible, losing coach kept. Historically bad in areas. A former number 2 who’s proven nothing except his defense is horrid and gets injured, oh and he doesn’t want to be here, is still here.
They try to tell us he’ll be good….the Kings will be good but logic and reason and record point the opposite direction.
Our GM (“we ended up in a fantastic spot with where our roster’s at”) and coach (“Bagley had a career year”) have certainly learned the lesson of the last several years that the bigger and dumber the lie, the more people will eat it up.
Bagley certainly doesn’t appear to want to be here, and shouldn’t be here. I don’t think he’s ever going to be more than a rotation player. That being said, I think people are down on him too much. He’s a good rebounder and has some scoring talent. Yes, his BBIQ is on the very low end, but if reaches below average in defense and passing and ups his three point percentage a couple of ticks, which isn’t unreasonable, he’s not a bad player to have in your rotation.
I think the ship has sailed here for a lot of reasons, and he’ll never be a star, but Bagley has the potential to be a solid contributor.
Just wait until they hit the 10th seed with 35 wins and declare they’ve make the playoffs.
certainly learned the lesson of the last several years that the bigger and dumber the lie, the more people will eat it up.
That is hilarious and true.
and I do believe he could be a solid contributor. COULD
Quick takes:
I am (trying to be) hopeful.
Did anyone notice that Bagley looks a lot beefier in the shoulders and arms in the press conference? I hope he plays well this year.
Bagley taking a major leap seems like the only chance, other than a big trade, to compete this year. Here’s to hoping
If Christie is making Bagley his project this season, there just may be some hope yet. I won’t hold my breath, but if anyone can get a player motivated and playing competent defense, it’s Doug.
Hope Bagley does not start making hand signals to his dad like Doug did for his wife !
If I look at the “look test”- what I saw, regardless of the numbers, he did have a career year – a short and disappointing one but a career one.
He does have (limited) skills, he is tall and athletic and he does put the ball in the basket and get rebounds. It is possible that he could become an above average NBA player. Possible.
I am glad he has bonded with Doug. DC really wants him to be successful and I believe that is apparent to MB3.
Honestly, I would like him to earn a starting spot. Solves some rotational issues, gives him confidence and may open up his possibilities. There are a few NBA players who blossomed in year 4.
I would exercise the QO on Oct 18- the best option of not so good options.
What he means is that Bagley won’t ever get any better.
Ooof, career year! I think Luke needs to watch some more tape.
Maybe Doug can talk some sense into him so he is not such a black hole on both ends of the court.
Yum yum and the sac media eat up the shit yummm. No rebuttals or follow ups here. Gotta stay friends with everyone first!
He’s tall…..great way to describe him.
Maybe he grew a little last year, so by “career year” he was referring to that being the tallest he has been.
He’s just so bad at lying. You can tell from his face that he either doesn’t know what he’s talking about or he’s lying up the ass
Bagley is definitely lying, as no fans here likes him.
He, himself wanted to leave Sac_town so bad……….
just same as we, fans, want him get out of Sac_town……..
I’m gonna embrace Bags this year I mean he’s gone anyways after this season
I need to sit down. I’m getting dizzy from all the spin.
Career year!!
If you remove Luke Walton from the article it’s actually otherwise encouraging. Bagley being committed and working hard is all we can ask for at this point. And Christie’s work with him sounds productive and could yield improvement.
We’re a year past the potential talk
hes here because he’s negative value and the team couldn’t move him
BBIQ isnt taught
This seems to be much ado about nothing. Luke Walton gave a very coach speak answer to a question. I mean what did you want from him? Yeah that guy sucks because he can never stay healthy and I wish we would have traded him in the offseason? That wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Badge Legend