New Orleans Pelicans: 2021 NBA Mock Draft 1.0
New Orleans Pelicans: With the 36th pick…
Arizona State. 36. player. 512. . Wing. . Marcus Bagley
It remains to be seen whether Marcus Bagley keeps his name in the 2021 NBA Draft, but the 6-foot-8 forward represents a potential steal for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The younger brother of Marvin Bagley III, Marcus can strengthen the Pelicans at the 3 and 4 positions. Bagley had a really bright start to the season, shooting 40 percent from three in his first four games before seeing the rest of his season get derailed by recurring injury problems.
Bagley missed a month with a lower leg injury and saw his three-point numbers wane to 34 percent. After a brief comeback, he once again missed roughly another month with an ankle injury, played one game versus Colorado, and then missed the rest of his freshman season.
The Arizona State wing might yet elect to return for his sophomore season but if he doesn’t, the Pels should be jumping at the chance to snatch him up. Bagley is mobile for his size, has an outside shot that I think will translate to the NBA, and even showed some small glimpses of creating his own shot off the dribble.
The Phoenix Suns got mocked when they picked Cam Johnson with the 11th pick in the 2019 draft; yet, he’s worked out great for them and is now an important piece on a legitimately good team as a wing that is asked to take his threes, occasionally attack closeouts, and compete on defense. I can see Bagley having a similar role for the Pels.