Marvin Bagley’s Agent Criticizes Kings After Starting Lineup Revealed

Marvin Bagley III‘s representation is not content with the Kings’ ousting of the center from the starting rotation. On Monday, Bagley was informed by the team that he would be relegated to a reserve’s role.

Agent Jeff Schwartz released his fiery statement on Tuesday, via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

“Sacramento has informed Marvin Bagley he is not in the opening night rotation, which is completely baffling,” the agent said. “It’s clear they have no plans for him in the future. And yet, passed on potential deals at last year’s deadline and this summer based on ‘value.’ Instead they chose to bring him back but not to play him, a move completely contradictory to their ‘value’ argument. This is a case study in mismanagement by the Kings organization.”

The Kings gave an update on their starting lineup ahead of their 2021-2022 season debut against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 20 — showcasing a three-guard rotation featuring De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and No. 9 pick from this year’s draft, Davion Mitchell.

Newly acquired power forward Tristan Thompson and center Richaun Holmes will fill out the starting lineup’s need for a big man, previously assigned to Bagley in the last three seasons.

Bagley has been too inconsistent for a No. 2 overall pick, and has fallen out of favor with head coach Luke Walton. In 43 games played last season, Bagley played 25.9 minutes per game: averaging 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and hit 50 percent of his field goal attempts. The 6-foot-11 center has appeared in only 56 games the past two seasons.

As reported by Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Sacramento Kings have lacked interest in extending the former lottery pick (No. 2 overall pick in 2018) — sending Bagley to potential unrestricted free agency in 2022.

Excel Sports’ Jeff Schwartz — the agent for Sacramento’s Marvin Bagley — weighs in on Kings’ handling of former No. 2 overall pick: https://t.co/YJ1aDxMnCO

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021