This Kings-Pelicans Trade Sends Marvin Bagley III To NOLA

Marvin Bagley III
NBA Analysis Network
Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings, Sacramento Kings, NBA Rumors
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Does this trade make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans?

Giving up Jaxson Hayes for Marvin Bagley III, even if it is just for one season, probably does make sense for the New Orleans Pelicans Pelicans only because they have a real chance to make the playoffs this season and be a “sleeper” team in the Western Conference. They are not going to win a title this year, but their chances of making the playoffs would definitely increase with Bagley. 

Whether or not they keep him long-term is a whole different scenario, but in the short-term, Bagley can provide immediate depth and scoring in the New Orleans Pelicans’ second-unit, something Hayes cannot do at the moment.

One of the main reasons Bagley and his agent want him out of Sacramento is because they did not have him in the starting unit to begin the season, so maybe they would not want to go to a team like New Orleans where Bagley would have to come off-the-bench, but this would be a really good situation for him. 

Not only would the Pelicans utilize Marvin Bagley as the dynamic pick-and-roll, low-post big man that he is, but he would be on a team with other young talents that are similar to him. It is worth noting too that he would join forces with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, two other Duke alums in the NBA right now. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Midseason Trade Destinations For Marvin Bagley III

Having Devonte’ Graham in their backcourt, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the wing, and the likes of two All-Stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans definitely have a really strong roster when they are at 100%, but this team has holes to fill in their frontcourt.

With Zion still recovering from offseason foot surgery, they have been very thin at the power forward position, which is why Bagley could be so valuable to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Midseason Trade Destinations For Marvin Bagley III

He not only acts as an “insurance policy” behind Williamson on this team’s depth chart, but Marvin Bagley III is a young player who could easily see 25-plus minutes off-the-bench in the frontcourt, not only taking pressure off of Zion and Ingram, but Valanciunas as well. 

At the cost of a young role player, whose role has decreased over the years, and two future second-round draft picks, the Pelicans could add an impactful power-forward that could wind up being a key young talent on their roster for many more years to come. The New Orleans Pelicans would definitely benefit from adding Marvin Bagley III to their roster right now.

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