JULY 6: Bagley’s contract is now official, per NBA.com’s transactions log.
JUNE 30: The Pistons have agreed to bring back restricted free agent power forward Marvin Bagley III on a three-year, $37MM contract, writes Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
After being selected by the Kings with the second pick in the 2018 draft over multiple future All-Stars, Bagley struggled through erratic playing time and a variety of injuries with Sacramento, but produced on offense when given some leeway by the team. He holds career averages of 13.6 PPG, on 50.1% shooting, and 7.4 RPG.
Bagley was traded to the Pistons in a four-team deal this February. In 18 games with Detroit, Bagley averaged 14.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 APG and 0.7 SPG across 27.2 MPG. The 6’11” big man, still just 23, has yet to become a plus defender, but has value as a scorer on a rebuilding young Pistons team.
Detroit has already enjoyed a busy 2022 offseason. In this year’s NBA draft lottery, the club selected guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren. The team also traded for veteran shooting guard Alec Burks and reserve center Nerlens Noel from the Knicks. These new additions will join Bagley, 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, an All-Rookie First Team selection, promising young center Isaiah Stewart, and former lottery pick Killian Hayes as the Pistons continue to look toward the future.
Thunder and Pistons both trying to screw up their rebuilds by overpaying second-tier players on long-term deals. I don’t get it.
The Dort deal makes a lot of sense for them. By keeping him, they keep the defensive anchor of a core that could be perennially top 5 in that area. Who else have they paid this offseason?
He’s a diet John Collins. Maybe he’s more motivated this year and improves.
The second-tier players aren’t poison. There is money to spend to avoid fielding a kiddie team that has nothing to grow into. Tell me a team that succeeded with your restrictions.
Did Bagley hurt himself signing this deal? #AskingForAFriend
Did he learn how to play even a bit of defense? Pistons gonna regret that one.
They have Stew and now Noel. 2 very good defensive bigs. I imagine Bagley will be used off the bench as a big man scorer paired with one of them to help offset his defensive abilities. It is a decent signing. He is definately an NBA talent with room to get better.
Exactly, he is a rim runner for a few years while Duren develops. He is first big off bench, obviously has talent. Wish we were closer to 10 a year maybe 2 and team option but this does not handicap us in any way and hopefully he outplays this contract.
I thought this was a good move for both parties. Bagley clearly was a much different player with Detroit. ♂️
Not bad, glad it’s only 3 years and glad it’s not 15mil per year.
Pistons aren’t going to compete in the next 2 maybe 3 years anyways. If it works out great if it doesn’t then he’s an expiring contract when they want to start competing for real
They gotta try and move Olynyk before his value totally tanks. He isn’t going to get minutes on a rebuilding team.
I think it’s a little too much. But at 22 it’s not a bad chance to take. His numbers were good. And he’s on a good team where he should get better.
He looked decent for Detroit. Might just end up earning this contract
Bagley sucks
I dont get the fit for him on their roster, except in lineups next to Olynyk, but they’ve thrown a lot of wonky lineups out there the last 2 years. They need more shooting on the wing, though Burks should help there a little. That being said, maybe they’re still trying g to lose. Just think you might want to surround Cade with pieces to help him succeed first and foremost