Marvin Bagley III is headed to free agency but he seems intent on remaining with the Pistons, as he told James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Bagley has enjoyed his experience with Detroit since he was dealt by the Kings last month. He’s also been productive, averaging 14.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG in 27 MPG during his first 10 games with the Pistons.
“We’ve got some amazing talent here. Now, it’s about figuring out how to work together, gel together to do something bigger,” he said. “I’m definitely excited about it. I can’t wait to be around the guys even more, figure them out even more and make runs in the playoffs … even get some championships here. I’m excited about it.”
Bagley didn’t receive a rookie scale extension with Sacramento. His qualifying offer, which would make him a restricted free agent, will be $7.3MM since he won’t meet the starter criteria.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Due to injuries and illness, rookie wing Isaiah Livers received extensive playing time against Miami on Tuesday. He responded with 16 points in 31 minutes but his bigger focus was defense, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Livers, a second-round pick, spent the bulk of the season rehabbing from a foot injury. “Being out, definitely I was locked in, especially to my team,” Livers said. “I was seeing where we need that push and that shove. What I saw was defensive energy right away off the bench. That was my key right away to minutes off the bench.” Livers’ contract is guaranteed through next season with a team option in 2023/24.
- Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Cunningham missed Tuesday’s game due to a non-COVID illness, according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News. “He started feeling bad (Monday) night and came to shootaround looking like death, eating crackers. So, he’s in pretty bad shape,” coach Dwane Casey said prior to the game. Hamidou Diallo (finger) and Frank Jackson (back) also missed the game and Rodney McGruder aggravated a hamstring injury during it.
- Longtime broadcaster George Blaha underwent a heart bypass procedure on Tuesday, the team’s PR department tweets. Blaha is expected to return as the play-by-play announcer next season.
It’s interesting they’re giving Bagley more minutes than Olynyk, I imagine they are going to try and figure out a way to dump his contract in the offseason.
I truly hope the Pistons bury themselves on a deal for Marv
Bulls should offer Bagley $10M. Worst case they make Detroit pay more. He would provide some bulk which the Bulls are sorely lacking, and $10-12M won’t break the bank – shoot, they are paying Derrick Jones 9.9 right now, and Bagley is an upgrade.
He’s terrible no bulk
Speedy recovery to play by play legend
Blaha
Always liked Bagley. But based on production. He’s been overpaid. I think he’s in the right place. He should sign for three yrs and prove everyone wrong. Pistons got good young talent. With another high pick this yr. They are building a deep talented team in Detroit. They are definitely a future power in the East.
As someone who’s watched the minutes Bagley managed to scrounge up in Sacramento, you’re mistaken on Marv