Vlade Divac: 'Easy' Choice to Pick Marvin Bagley III over Luka Doncic
Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac had no difficulties making Marvin Bagley III the No. 2 overall pick, rather than go with Serbian star Luka Doncic.
Speaking to reporters after Thursday's NBA draft, Divac called Bagley a "better fit" and "better player" before calling the pick an "easy choice" for the Kings:
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Prior to the draft, The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears noted the Kings had already settled on their pick and believed they were adding a "franchise altering prospect" to their roster.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman had Doncic ranked as the top overall player in the 2018 draft class, ahead of No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton. Bagley was at No. 6 because he "struggled to make defensive reads at Duke" and had more "instinct and explosiveness" to score, rather than possessing the innate skill to do so.
The Kings also used their top pick last year on a point guard when they selected De'Aaron Fox. Bagley gives them a versatile athletic big man who can open up their offense.
Doncic was drafted No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Hawks, who traded his rights to the Dallas Mavericks for the rights to Trae Young and a 2019 lottery protected first-round pick.
After missing the playoffs in each of the past 12 seasons, the Kings need to take big swings if they want to become relevant in the Western Conference.
