Man oh man what a world we’d be living in if the Boston Celtics were able to nab Marvin Bagley from the Sacramento Kings for pennies on the dollar.
They’d be an instant contender if Bagley could come alive under Ime Udoka after a rocky tenure in California’s star city.
Particularly if all it took was two Cs that may not make the rotation and a second-round pick.
Unfortunately, Sacramento’s front office isn’t that incompetent even if it seems that Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations seems like that much of a trade master that he could pull this mock trade from NBA Analysis Network off:
"Boston Celtics Receive: C/F Mavin Bagley IIISacramento Kings Receive: G/F Romeo Langford, F Grant Williams, BOS 2022 Second-Round Pick"
Romeo Langford rebuilt his value during the postseason this past May, even finding himself in the starting lineup by the end of the C’s gentleman’s sweep at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets. Grant Williams shot 37% from the 3-point line last season.
Even still, Bagley should go for more on the open market. His own 3-point shot hasn’t quite become what it should be coming out of Duke, but he has proven to be a consistent 14+ point per game scorer even with a mismatched frontcourt in Sactown.
Bagley may be able to thrive as a five. Perhaps Boston could offer Al Horford in a potential deal and absorb Harrison Barnes in return. Of course, Langford may have to be added to Aaron Nesmith or Payton Pritchard–or possibly Dennis Schroder with enough draft compensation as well–to make something between the two teams work in this scenario.
But as training camp nears, Bagley’s fit with the Kings will be assessed, just as what combinations will be conducive to winning in Boston.
This deal would be a no-brainer if Monte McNair wanted to sell as low as a miner goes on Bagley.