Why Celtics Fans Should Root For Marvin Bagley’s Reclassification
By Matt Chin
You’ve probably never heard of Marvin Bagley III. The 6’11 18-year-old is the top high school prospect in the class of 2018. At least he is for now.
CBS reported last week that Bagley is trying to reclassify so that he can enter college in the Fall of 2017. Bagley spoke last week while attending the Nike Peach Jam. He told reporters that he set up official visits with Duke, Arizona, and Southern Cal. USC went as far as to offer Bagley’s 7-year-old brother a scholarship as well. After Bagley announced his reclassification wishes, he poured in 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks in front of a sellout crowd.
Bagley is the #1 2018 recruit on Rivals.com, ESPN.com, and Scout.com. According to many, if Bagley joins the Class of 2017, he would be the likely #1 pick in next summer’s NBA draft. The NCAA is reportedly examining his high school academic transcripts to determine if he’s eligible to reclassify.
The top of the class of 2017 features centers Mohamed Bamba (Attending Texas) and DeAndre Ayton (Arizona), combo forward Michael Porter (Missouri), and combo wing Luka Doncic (Spain). All four players are considered generational talents, and Bagley could be the better than all of them.
Celtics fans should be quietly hoping that the NCAA grants Bagley’s reclassification.
As a result of the 76ers and Celtics pre-draft trade, the C’s now control the Lakers 2018 first rounder pick (top 1 protected). They also have the Nets’ unprotected 2018 pick. With Los Angeles and Brooklyn projected to miss the playoffs again, both picks could fall in the early lottery.
Danny Ainge will have two more bites at the apple to find his next star player. Bagley would make the top of the draft pool even deeper.
If the NCAA declines Bagley’s reclassification, he’ll be draft eligible in 2019. Unfortunately, the Celtics will only have a realistic chance at a 2019 lottery pick if the Lakers win next summer’s draft lottery (statistically 25 percent chance at best).
In that unlikely event, the 76ers would select #1, and the Celtics would receive the 2019 unprotected Kings pick as compensation from the Fultz trade.
Clarification on deal: Besides its 2017 FRP, Philly sends '18 Lakers pick w/ protections. If it doesn't convey, 76ers send 2019 Kings pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2017
To sum it up, the Celtics will in all likelihood have two top tier draft picks in 2018, and no high lottery picks in 2019. Green teamers should want the 2018 draft class to loaded with talented prospects.
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Bagley is as talented as there is. If the Celtics grab multiple top shelf draftees next summer, they could remain near the top of the Eastern Conference into the mid-2020s.