Marvin Bagley III has a chance to redefine his career with the Pistons and he wants to start by getting rid of the reputation that he’s not a good teammate. Meeting with the media today for the first time since he was acquired from the Kings in a four-team trade, Bagley dismissed any concerns that he won’t do what’s best for the team, tweets James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that I’m not a team guy, that I don’t do well with my teammates,” Bagley said. “People talk about defense. If you ask any guy I’ve played with, they won’t have one bad thing to say.”
Bagley said he was awakened by his agent on Thursday with news that a deal might be close. He welcomes the opportunity after three and a half seasons in Sacramento, saying he could “breathe and have fun playing basketball” (Twitter link from Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press).
Because Bagley didn’t reach an extension agreement with the Kings last offseason, he is headed for free agency this summer. His qualifying offer will be worth $7.2MM if he doesn’t meet the starter criteria or $14.8MM if he does, but general manager Troy Weaver told reporters the amount of the QO wasn’t a consideration in the trade. “The reason we got him in was to take a look at the human being and see how he can assimilate with the group,” Weaver said (Twitter link via Sankofa).
There’s more from Detroit:
- Weaver also had a message for fans who were hoping for a big deal at the deadline and may be getting frustrated with losing as the team tries to rebuild, Sankofa adds (Twitter link). “The process is to build a sustainable winner, and that takes time,” Weaver said. “I’m sure everyone would like us to fast-track it. You only have one shot at this thing, and in our restoring process, we don’t want to skip any steps. We don’t want to shortcut anything.”
- Jerami Grant was among the most sought-after players on the market, but Detroit opted to hold onto its leading scorer. Grant was informed of that decision well before the deadline, according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News (Twitter link).“I’m a Piston,” Grant said. “It’s what I want to do.”
- Cade Cunningham is still trying to get comfortable after missing five games with a hip pointer, Sankofa writes in a full story. Cunningham was able to return Friday, but he’s on a minutes restriction and is still dealing with pain in the hip. “Certain movements cause some discomfort, more than anything,” he said. “But I’m just trying to work through it, get back right and get better.”
Redraft
Is Scottie Barnes better than Cade and Kuminga?
Experts think Barnes should draft ahead of them
Hell no
Chat Ford and John Hollinger say Scottie Barnes should be second pick
1 is Mobley
I thought Ford and Hollinger are at 30s
They look like 70 years old
The Kings’ use of Bagley was criminal. He has plenty of talent but they barely played him. The Pistons have a logjam of big guys though so not sure where he fits.
So incredibly wrong Tim. Check his injury history please. Other than the beginning of this season he played plenty when he wasn’t hurt.
Yeah the issue is who they passed on to draft him
That’s hilarious You have no clue…
Hope you’re not talking about me because as an unfortunate season ticket member, I’ve watched nearly every one of his games.
My condolences
He didn’t get along with the coach before he was fired and never had a chance after that even under the new regime… now up to him to perform before he hits the market or he is done already
He had a great chance under Gentry, he actually started a number of games for him this season.
Guy is made of glass. Just can’t stay healthy and didn’t put in the work to bulk up and develop his right.
The Pistons definitely don’t have a logjam of bigs lol. The have undersized Stewart, Olynk and that’s it. Barley if healthily will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself.
I don’t want Bagley
Kings trade Bagley for Donte
Good trade
Bagley doesn’t want you either
“the reason we got him in was to take a look at the human being and see how he can assimilate with the group,” weaver said. robots are clearly in control here. the borg are taken over. skynet next.
Bagley has a chance to become a player. He’s not worth 14 mill. But I’d give him a chance to prove himself.
DET must bench Grant for MBIII that would be the right move, only problem is that MBIII is sooo much better than Grant that if they do that they will win more games, which it will mess up with their tanking, right?
Do you watch basketball? You think Bagley is better than Grant? Have you ever seen Bagley play (the few games he’s actually been healthy)?
Black hole, Mis-timed jumps for rebounds, no defense, no right hand, and not even that great with his left.
Hope he can do better in Detroit, but the Kings are a better team without him in the court.
LOL, exactly.